Ökologischer Land- & Weinbau KRAEMER Silvaner Alte Reben RESERVE 2018 white

Silvaner is the signature grape of Franconia, and with the Silvaner Alte Reben RESERVE 2018, Stephan & Simone Krämer show just how profound this variety can become in the right hands. Drawn from old vines and crafted with minimal intervention, this reserve bottling stands apart as a fiercely characterful, textural white that pushes beyond classic stylistic boundaries. It is a bold, expressive interpretation of Silvaner that sits comfortably alongside the top wines of Franken, yet retains the quiet authenticity of its small, organically farmed origins.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Silvaner Alte Reben RESERVE presents a deep straw to light golden hue, hinting at both maturity and extended lees contact. The nose is complex and evolving, with notes of ripe yellow apple, quince, baked pear and mirabelle, interwoven with herbal tones of meadow flowers and hay, crushed fennel seed, and a distinct earthy-mineral edge. Subtle hints of nuttiness, citrus zest and a touch of spontaneous fermentation funk underline the wine’s largely natural, unadorned style. On the palate, this Silvaner is powerful and textural, with a firm phenolic backbone that gives it grip and structure rather than relying on simple acidity. Flavors echo the nose—stone fruit, yellow orchard fruit and citrus peel—layered with saline minerality, fine herbal bitterness and a long, savoury finish. The wine feels concentrated yet finely balanced, more about depth and tactile complexity than overt fruitiness. Already compelling now, it has the stuffing and structure to continue developing tertiary notes of honey, dried herbs and smoked nuts over the next 5–8 years, possibly longer under good cellaring conditions.

Production
Krämer’s vineyards in Franken are farmed organically, reflecting the estate’s philosophy of ‘Ökologischer Land- & Weinbau’—holistic ecological agriculture. The Silvaner vines for this RESERVE come from older parcels (alte Reben), where deep roots tap into the region’s mineral-rich soils, imparting a marked sense of place and natural concentration to the fruit. Harvest is typically done by hand to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes make it into the cellar. In line with Stephan Krämer’s preference for largely natural winemaking and pronounced phenolics, the must is likely handled gently yet with extended skin contact or carefully managed maceration, followed by spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aging on the lees in neutral vessels—often large old wood or similar—adds texture and complexity without masking the grape’s character, and minimal intervention in the cellar preserves the wine’s raw, authentic expression.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic Silvaner that shines with richly flavored, textural dishes. It pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, veal in creamy or morel mushroom sauces, herb-crusted pork, or elevated vegetarian cuisine such as roasted root vegetables, celeriac steak, or risotto with wild mushrooms and Parmesan. Its phenolic grip and savoury edge also complement river fish, trout with herbs, or charcuterie and mature semi-hard cheeses. Serve at around 10–12 °C; too cold and its complexity will be muted. A brief decant of 30–60 minutes helps the wine unfurl its layers of aroma and softens the phenolics, especially in its youth.

Producer
Ökologischer Land- & Weinbau KRAEMER, led by Stephan and Simone Krämer, is a small, quality-driven estate in Franken committed to organic farming and low-intervention winemaking. Rather than relying on famed, prestigious vineyard names or lavish cellars, the Krämers have built their reputation through meticulous vineyard work and a clear vision of what Franconian Silvaner can be: profound, textural and deeply rooted in its terroir. Their wines, particularly bottlings like the Silvaner Alte Reben RESERVE, have drawn comparison to benchmark producers of the region, underlining their role as one of the most exciting artisanal voices in modern Franken. With a focus on authenticity and ecological responsibility, the estate has quietly carved out a place among the region’s noteworthy contemporary producers.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.