It was a long and winding road that led us to Marcel Idler. We’d known his friend and neighbor Andi Knauß for years, and had driven past Marcel’s home and tasting room on many a trip to Swabia. His friend and mentor Helmut Dolde kept telling us we should try his wines. When we finally connected shortly before Covid hit, we kicked ourselves for the stars not aligning sooner. Now, another two years and several logistical hurdles later, Marcel’s wines have landed stateside. 

Simply put, Marcel Idler is driving the vanguard of Swabian winemaking along with the likes of Andy Knauß and Jochen Beurer. They are the new generation exploding quietly onto the scene, upending norms and turning the traditional way of doing things inside out, but with respect and grace. Their approach is light touch, low extraction, full of life yet incredibly precise. Their wines are gentle but somehow powerful, much like their demeanors.

Marcel’s vineyards are comprised of 30-35 individual parcels, all within a 2 km radius of his winery and home. Twenty-five percent of his vines are planted to Trollinger. In Marcel’s words:

“There is a little Swabian brainpower and understanding [involved]. That is why we do everything we can to preserve the valuable aromas and to make them tangible in the wines. Anything else would be nonsensical. A gentle harvest is the basis. Without much technical influence, we carefully develop our organic wines in wood and stainless steel.

Even if ‘putting your hands in your lap’ doesn't exactly correspond to the Swabian mentality, it is the most important part of our cellar work. It takes time and rest to bring characterful wines to the bottle. Wines that will be remembered, that are multi-faceted and profound and reflect the locations, soils and the vintage.”

We are honored to finally bring you Marcel’s wines for a very first taste. He has shown us that patience is a virtue, in fermentation and in life. Now we can all reap the reward. 

WEINGUT IDLER

Country: Germany

Region: Württemberg, Swabia

Sub-region or Appellation: Weinstadt

Winemaker: Marcel Idler

Viticulture: Certified organic since 2016 (Ecocert), practicing biodynamic

Terroir: clay marl and calcareous soils, criss-crossed with sandstone in higher altitude parcels

Size: 8 ha

Website: weingut-idler.de
Instagram: @weingutidler

WEINGUT IDLER :: Riesling Trocken

A delightfully bright and refreshing dry Riesling from a particularly difficult rainy harvest. Grapes are soft-pressed into stainless steel tanks, where they are fermented and aged. A bit of salt and lemon crème fraiche on the palate lend easy complexity to this entry-level stunner charmer

Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Riesling
Style: White Wine
ABV: 11.5%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Soils: calcarious soils
Elevation: 250m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Direct-pressed insto stainless steel
Aging: Stainless steel
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: Minimal added at bottling

WEINGUT IDLER :: Riesling Kabinett

High acid meets delicate (and we mean, delicate) sweetness in this off-dry Kabinett level riesling. Ethereal and balanced, this mind-bending, terroir-defying cuvée drinks like "Mosel in Wurttemberg."

Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Riesling
Style: White Wine
ABV: 10.5%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Age of Vines: 5 years old
Soils: calcarious soils
Elevation: 250m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Direct-pressed insto stainless steel
Aging: Stainless steel
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: Minimal added at bottling

WEINGUT IDLER :: Trollinger Gutswein

This Trollinger Gutswein is the texbook definition of Swabian glou glou. Intensely fresh, bursting with bright red cherry aromas, and coating the tongue with ever-so-soft tannins, this light and zippy Trollinger is best served chilled and enjoyed on all occasions.

Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Trollinger
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Age of Vines: 25 years old
Soils: clay marl and sandstone
Elevation: 240m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: macerated for 12 days on the skins, fermented in open vats
Aging: In stainless steel for 10 month
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: Minimal added at bottling (30mg/L)

WEINGUT IDLER :: Trollinger Alte Reben

Very small but intensely aromatic berries from 40 year-old vines form the base of this elegant, complex Trollinger. Spice on the nose, juicy & jammy red fruits on the palate, velvety texture on the finish, this wine is the perfect accompaniment to venison stew (we have anecdotal proof), but if that's not available, anything smoked or wintry will do!

Vintage: 2022
Grapes: Trollinger
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Age of Vines: 40-43 year old vines
Soils: clay marl and sandstone
Elevation: 240m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: 2 week maceration on the skins in open vats
Aging: Aged in used 500L tonneau for 10 months
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: Minimal added at bottling (30mg/L)

WEINGUT IDLER :: Pet’nat Muscat

The levity and freshness of spring come alive in this pet'nat of 100% Muscat from Swabian hills. Aromas of juicy, ripe pears burst on the palate.

Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Muscat à petits grains blancs
Style: Sparkling Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Age of Vines: 5 years old
Soils: marne/marl soils
Elevation: 250m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Maceration on the skins for 12 hours, followed by pressing and fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: Bottled pet-nat style after 6 weeks of fermentation
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: None

WEINGUT IDLER :: Riesling Nature

This two-week maceration of late harvest Riesling presents a harmonious balance of aromas: apricot, herbal tea, and a touch of warm spices (cinnamon and clove come to mind). Bottled without any added sulfur or filtration.

Vintage: 2019
Grapes: Riesling
Style: Orange Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic
Age of Vines: Between 20-30 years old
Soils: clay, calcareous soils
Elevation: 240m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Grapes are softly foot-stomped, then undergo 2 week maceration on the skins in open vats
Aging: Aged in 600L oak barrels for 10 months
Fining or Filtering: None
SO2 Added: None