Axel Pauly Winery

Axel Pauly had already travelled a lot in the world. He worked at wineries in California and New Zealand and also did an internship at the German Embassy in Stockholm while studying at the University of Applied Sciences for Viticulture in Geisenheim. But moving away forever was never an option. His love for his homeland was simply too great for that - and his attachment to the family winery, which he runs today with his parents Rudolf and Ursel, who are still very active in the business.

If you travel through this idyllic region on the Middle Mosel and come to the Paulys' newly built 70-square-metre vinotheque, you would hardly believe the severe setbacks the family had to deal with five years ago. First, in July 2011, a major fire reduced the entire production and storage hall to rubble, and only seven weeks later, hail destroyed almost the entire cultivation area in the vineyards. Axel Pauly briefly thought of quitting, but instead of resigning, he rebuilt the business. With his wife Sabrina and with his parents. And ultimately with almost unbelievable success. In 2014, Gault Millau awarded the winery its second star,Vinum awarded it 3 stars, Eichelmann named it one of the rising stars of the year on the Mosel and with 4 stars, Stuart Pigott chose it as one of the 111 best young winemakers in Germany and the Pinot Noir finds itself mentioned in the book "111 German Wines You Must Have Drunk" by Carsten Henn.

The hallmarks are clear fruit aromas and low alcohol content in the modern wines that are typical of the region, where, of course, Riesling plays the leading role, as it does everywhere on the Mosel. In addition, the Paulys also produce small quantities of high-quality red wines from the barrique, which are regularly voted among the best in the region. The wines stand out not only because of their taste, but also because of their labels, which were designed by Swedish designers. On closer inspection, the three curved lines turn out to be the profiles of the three Pauly generations, Peter, Rudolf and Axel. The appearance of the vinotheque, completed in 2015 and furnished with natural materials, is as clear and authentic as the vintners' wine style: façade, floor and counter in natural slate, the interior walls with larch panelling, the large table in oak. A walk-in glass panel allows a view into the barrique cellar in the basement, while a staircase between the sales room and the entrance area leads into the wine cellar of the old building. The vinotheque is one of the 50 most beautiful vinotheques in Germany.

The three-sided glass façade of the vinotheque and the wooden terrace in front of it offer an enchanting view of the steep slopes. From the roof terrace above, too, a 360-degree panorama opens up with a view of the vineyards of the Axel Pauly estate. You only have to stand here and look into the area to understand why Axel Pauly did not stay in the distance and why he was drawn back home to the Middle Moselle.