Willi Schaefer RIP

J

Jayson Cohen

Jayson Cohen
I was sad to hear this morning that Willi Schaefer passed away a few days ago. I am not sure what happened but he was only 74.

Without hesitation I can easily say he made some of the greatest wines I’ve ever tasted, and he and Christoph are my favorite German winemakers. I wish I had met him; I never did. But I’ve heard he was a kind and humble vinous icon.

May his memory be a blessing.
 
I can't imagine my wine journey without this house. Their wines represent the ultimate highlights - collectively, individually, stylistically. I adore the family, and I have permanently sanctioned those who do not.

I attended the Trier auction a few times in the first decade of this century. Willi, unlike some of his counterparts, would stop the bidding and throw additional bottles of Spatlese into the lot to keep the hammer price down to what he considered to be fair (40-50eu at the time).
 
The wines were amazing but what is so unique is they never expanded beyond 5 Hectares. It takes a lot of restraint and integrity to stay small when you are such a renown Domain on a global scale. A rarity these days...
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
I can't imagine my wine journey without this house. Their wines represent the ultimate highlights - collectively, individually, stylistically. I adore the family, and I have permanently sanctioned those who do not.
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A lovely man and wonderful, essential wines. Lucky to have visited a couple of times.
 
We visited him in September 2001, and we were struck by how much he was a happy human being. His smile was ever-present and he always seemed to be on the verge of giggling. It was a pleasure to meet him and talk to him about his wines, he was so passionate. Daniel Vollenweider in 2023 and now Willi in 2024, we've lost some good ones recently.
 
Wow, an icon indeed. We visited in 2007 and were impressed by everything, from the human character to the vinous character.

Alas, there are so many amazing German rieslings, I have never gotten around to following Schaefer as much as I would like in the absence of constraints. But clearly a life well lived.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Wow, an icon indeed. We visited in 2007 and were impressed by everything, from the human character to the vinous character.

Alas, there are so many amazing German rieslings, I have never gotten around to following Schaefer as much as I would like in the absence of constraints. But clearly a life well lived.
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I believe his children have been running the domain for awhile so still time. Of course you can never replace having a man like him involved.
 
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