What sounds like something out of the cult Mafia series “The Sopranos”, is actually a unique alliance of young winemakers, who are carving a name for themselves in the wine world through their innovative concept. Six young enthusiasts, most of them former “inmates” of Geisenheim University of Applied Sciences, who, following on from apprenticeships and time spent abroad, are once again harvesting on the steep slopes in and around Pünderich.

The mugshots of the cartel brothers on their homepage really are reminiscent of those found in crime thrillers. Their descriptions mention espionage activities in other businesses. And of making early contacts in the Riesling world. There is even talk of hedge trimmer attacks on innocent vines.

Of course, the reality is that Tobias Dahm, Johannes Busch, Nico Simonis, Dominik Busch, Matthias Lay and Markus Busch created their criminal personas as a unique selling point. They want to use their unconventional idea of a `Riesling cartel` to shake up their parents’ businesses, their village and the Mosel area.

Their first coup: a Riesling, which was promptly named `Germany’s coolest wine` by the German Wine Institute (DWI). In an online vote, wine lovers and experts pronounced the jointly produced Kartell-Cuvée from the group's six vineyards a winner. The principle behind it all: one location, one grape variety, one vintage – six winemakers.