Germany · Mosel · Leiwen
On the steep slate slopes surrounding Leiwen in the Mosel, you’ll find Weingut Carlo Schmitt, a small family-run winery deeply rooted in the region’s long winemaking tradition. The story began in the 1970s, when Carlo’s grandfather founded the estate, which was later continued and expanded by his father, Heinz Schmitt. Heinz became known for producing classic Mosel wines focused on precision and terroir, but following his tragic fatal accident in the vineyards in 2010, large parts of the estate were sold off and the winery was significantly reduced in size.
Despite this, Carlo Schmitt chose to continue the family’s work. After studying winemaking and gaining experience in places such as Oregon, California, and Luxembourg, he returned to the Mosel to create a new generation of wines with deep respect for the region’s history and steep vineyards.
Today, the focus is on small parcels of old vines planted on classic blue and grey slate soils, particularly around the vineyards of Neumagener Rosengärtchen. Vineyard work is carried out with great precision and extensive manual labor, which is essential in the dramatic terrain of the Mosel.
In the cellar, Carlo Schmitt follows a low-intervention philosophy, where spontaneous fermentation and gentle vinification are used to preserve the purity of the fruit and the mineral character of the terroir. The focus is mainly on classic Mosel varieties such as Riesling and Rivaner, which here produce wines with vibrant acidity, clear minerality, and remarkable elegance.
Weingut Carlo Schmitt represents a new generation in the Mosel – winemakers who continue the region’s historic traditions while bringing a personal and modern focus on balance, precision, and authenticity.
