SWR Member Spotlight: Kloster Eberbach blends tradition with sustainable innovation

German producer Kloster Eberbach embodies a remarkable blend of tradition and modern innovation. Based in the Rheingau, the historic monastery has been involved in viticulture since the 12th century, when Cistercian monks first began producing wine there. While monks no longer tend the vines, the estate’s 160 hectares of vineyards are now managed by Dieter Greiner, with a strong focus on preserving cultural heritage, and, of course, producing exceptional wines.

The estate’s viticultural practices prioritise enhancing biodiversity and soil health, with a strict exclusion of pesticides. Kloster Eberbach actively collaborates with universities on innovative research projects on topics such as precision agriculture and soil testing. The winery works closely with Hochschule Geisenheim University, a founding member of SWR, setting a strong example of industry collaboration. One of their largest projects centres on boosting biodiversity in steep-slope viticulture. Through the project, over ten hectares of steep slopes have been transformed into transverse terraces, improving drainage and creating a microclimate that fosters greater biodiversity. The project’s findings will be shared publicly, offering valuable insights for other winegrows facing similar environmental challenges.

While firmly rooted in a 900-year old tradition of winemaking, Kloster Eberbach does not shy away from embracing new technologies or innovation. Since 2022, the winery has cultivated six hectares of vineyards with PIWI varieties, sustainable hybrid grapes specifically bred for resistance to fungal infections, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. A comparison of spraying patterns at Kloster Eberbach over the last three years shows that the organic PIWI vines require up to 80% less plant protection compared to traditional organic Vitis Vinifera. With less spraying required, tractor passes are reduced, which in turn lowers overall CO2 emissions and minimises soil compaction.

The PIWI cuvée is fittingly named ‘Achstam,’ meaning ‘mindful’ in German. This concept is central to the wine, from cultivation all the way through to packaging. The Achstam range comes in lightweight glass bottles (in fact, 80% of the winery’s production comes in bottles under 400g), with CO2-neutral closures and no capsule.

“It is a great responsibility and honour to maintain and improve the vitality of the vineyards of Kloster Eberbach. We are driving change in viticulture with new knowledge and technological progress,” says Greiner.

Learn more about Kloster Eberbach and its approach to sustainability here.