Stefan Vetter Sylvaner Steinterrassem Sandstein Franken 2017

Stefan Vetter's wines are highly regarded, and a Sylvaner of his was chosen by Eric Asimov as one of the best wines of 2018. He farms biodynamically and bottles unfiltered, unfined, and with minuscule SO2.

From the importer: Unlike the dramatic and steep slopes on the Mosel, the feeling in Vetter’s vineyards is more rustic and pastoral. The landscape is more bucolic, with ancient, crumbling terraces nestled quietly and subtly in the hills, surrounded by all manner of wild growth –trees, bushes, orchards, etc. Vines grow here over a base of sandstone and limestone. It’s like the Mosel collided with the Pfalz and spat out Franken.

There’s no filtration or fining on any of the wines, the only addition is S02, around 10-20ppm in total. The basic wines and Steinterrassen bottlings are pressed with an old screw press. The GKs, Himmelsücke and other single vineyards are pressed with a basket press. The Sylvaners are all aged in barrel, mainly used ones. The Müller-Thurgau is aged in 50% stainless, 50% old barrels.

More info on the producer.