The Schloss Mühlenhof property is a large estate (nearly 20ha) spread across the slopes above Kettenheim, 3km south of Alzey. This size would seem reasonable, if not expected, considering the estate was started in 1846 and is now hosting the 6th generation.

It began as a rye and wheat mill until the 1920s, when the small vineyard attached became the focus for the family income. The vines of that era have been replaced over time but some on the property are still as old as 45yrs. Now in the hands of Gabriele, Nicolas and Walter Michel, the farm operates ‘organically’ but not by any legal standard. They follow what they call, ‘ecologically healthy’ farming practices, with the intent on capturing the pure expression of the Rheinhessen style.

In 2019 they decided to expand their range and experiment with a low intervention approach that lead to their ‘Boden Funk’ wines. ‘Boden Funk’ can be roughly translated as ‘sound waves’ and is meant to express that the terroir is being transmitted through the roots, into the vines and then finally the grapes. During harvest the Michel’s keep a close eye on the process as they stand back and allow extended skin contact time and extended lees time while the wine ages. The wine is left unfiltered and unfined, using only gravity as a clarifying measure with minimal SO2 added at bottling (10g/1000L).