Weingut Immich-Batterieberg

The Immerich-Batterieberg winery is tucked away in the stunning Mosel Valley of Germany, where steep vineyards resemble emerald ladders that cascade down the river. More than just rows of vines, this vineyard is steeped in history and the legacy of winemaking, and it is a tribute to passion, tenacity, and a strong bond with the earth.

Johann Immerich, a farmer’s kid with aspirations greater than the steep hills he grew up on, began making wine in the late 19th century, which is when Immerich-Batterieberg got its start. He fell deeply in love with the place, marvelling at the way the river’s mild, temperate currents and the slate soil’s mineral content worked together to produce grapes of unmatched quality.

Johann was ready to take on the task of working in the Mosel region, which offered a gift to those who were willing to toil in the sun thanks to its cool environment and reflected riverbanks.

Batterieberg was a piece of land that was Johann’s pride and delight. Long before the first vine was planted, this vineyard had already earned its moniker. According to legend, the French had positioned their gun positions on the high slopes of this peak during the Napoleonic Wars, giving them a commanding view of the river valley. Riesling, a grape that flourished under the most trying circumstances, found the ideal terroir in the soil, which had been rich and distinctive for ages due to natural erosion and the infusion of ancient slate.

However, it was dangerous to cultivate the land. Because of how high the slopes were, even a basic day’s labour required the fortitude of a tightrope walker and the stamina of a mountain goat. After working for many hours, Johann’s hands became calloused and his back hurt. Nevertheless, he took comfort in the way the vines changed, each grape soaking up the light, rain, and river’s murmurs. When he eventually pressed his first vintage, he found that his wine embodied the valley’s personality in addition to fruity and mineral flavours.

The winery faced many challenges throughout the years, including freezing winters, erratic spring floods, and the destruction caused by two World Wars. As passive witnesses to history, Batterieberg’s slopes saw the times change. The Immerich family never left their vineyard, not even in the worst of times. They stayed determined, as rooted to the ground as vines are to the earth. Despite the loss and suffering caused by the conflicts, the grapevine persevered as a living testament to commitment and custom.

Each Immerich family generation after Johann carried on his labour, honing and developing the skill. In the 1960s, Wilhelm Immerich, his grandson, renovated the winery while respecting traditional methods. Wilhelm understood that the secret to great Riesling was striking a careful balance between tradition and creativity. In order to optimise the vineyard’s potential, he made investments in scientific research of soil and microclimate while also maintaining traditional winemaking techniques, such as fermenting the juice in oak barrels.

Each bottle told a tale, a tribute to the Mosel Valley’s tenacity and the people who cherished it. The Immerich family remained resilient despite the world’s constant change, lovingly caring for their vines on the Batterieberg and vowing to pass along the valley’s secrets to future generations.