Friedrich Becker Winery: Germany's Pinot Noir Pioneer
For seven generations, the Becker family has cultivated vineyards in the southern Pfalz, on the border with Alsace, where limestone-rich soils provide the perfect conditions for producing exceptional Spätburgunder - Germany's answer to Pinot Noir.
It was Friedrich Becker Senior who transformed the family business by bottling their own wines instead of selling grapes to the local co-operative. Since taking over in 2005, Friedrich Becker Junior has established the estate as one of Germany's finest Pinot Noir producers, winning the Gault & Millau German Wine Guide's Best German Pinot Noir award almost every year.
Today, the family farms around 30 hectares of vineyards with a philosophy centred on minimal intervention in both the vineyard and cellar, allowing each wine to express its unique terroir. Patience is equally important, with the estate's top red wines released only four years after harvest to ensure optimum balance, complexity and ageing potential.
Like many winegrowers, the Becker family must also contend with the unpredictability of nature. This summer, a severe hail storm caused significant damage to parts of the estate, devastating vineyards in more exposed sites such as Kammerberg and Wormberg. This caused a loss of 70% of this year's grape harvest. Fortunately, some of Becker's most renowned vineyards, including St. Paul, Heydenreich and Sonnenberg, escaped with only partial damage. While the coming vintage has been affected, the family views such events as an inevitable part of winemaking, remaining focused on producing wines that reflect both the challenges and character of each growing season.
It was Friedrich Becker Senior who transformed the family business by bottling their own wines instead of selling grapes to the local co-operative. Since taking over in 2005, Friedrich Becker Junior has established the estate as one of Germany's finest Pinot Noir producers, winning the Gault & Millau German Wine Guide's Best German Pinot Noir award almost every year.
Today, the family farms around 30 hectares of vineyards with a philosophy centred on minimal intervention in both the vineyard and cellar, allowing each wine to express its unique terroir. Patience is equally important, with the estate's top red wines released only four years after harvest to ensure optimum balance, complexity and ageing potential.
Like many winegrowers, the Becker family must also contend with the unpredictability of nature. This summer, a severe hail storm caused significant damage to parts of the estate, devastating vineyards in more exposed sites such as Kammerberg and Wormberg. This caused a loss of 70% of this year's grape harvest. Fortunately, some of Becker's most renowned vineyards, including St. Paul, Heydenreich and Sonnenberg, escaped with only partial damage. While the coming vintage has been affected, the family views such events as an inevitable part of winemaking, remaining focused on producing wines that reflect both the challenges and character of each growing season.
Wines to Discover
The WineBarn - an exclusively German wine merchant, were the first to introduce the UK to Spätburgunder, and as such, can recommend three of Becker's finest Pinot Noirs...
2021 "Becker Family" Spätburgunder QbA Dry
£19.65 per bottle
A highly drinkable, clear ruby red. In the nose, it has scent of wild berries, tobacco, spices and forest floor. On the palate, it is juicy and elegant with excellent length and structure.
A highly drinkable, clear ruby red. In the nose, it has scent of wild berries, tobacco, spices and forest floor. On the palate, it is juicy and elegant with excellent length and structure.
2019 Schweigener Spätburgunder QbA Dry
£34.00 per bottle
Produced from 30 to 55-year-old vines growing in limestone soils on the German-French border, this elegant wine offers aromas of blackberries, tobacco, spice and vanilla, alongside a dense palate with impressive structure and length.
Produced from 30 to 55-year-old vines growing in limestone soils on the German-French border, this elegant wine offers aromas of blackberries, tobacco, spice and vanilla, alongside a dense palate with impressive structure and length.
2018 St. Paul Spätburgunder Grand Cru Dry
£106.45 per bottle
Awarded 91 points by Decanter, this flagship wine comes from a south-facing limestone vineyard in Wissembourg. Aromas of juniper, wild berries, tobacco and pepper lead to a concentrated, beautifully structured palate with youthful tannins, remarkable length and excellent ageing potential.
Awarded 91 points by Decanter, this flagship wine comes from a south-facing limestone vineyard in Wissembourg. Aromas of juniper, wild berries, tobacco and pepper lead to a concentrated, beautifully structured palate with youthful tannins, remarkable length and excellent ageing potential.
