Weingut Seehof Florian Fauth - Pinot 'Jonathan Sekt b.A. brut vintage 2010

1. The Seehof winery - a family business with tradition

Florian Fauth's Seehof winery is located in the heart of Westhofen in the Rhine-Hessian Wonnegau region. It can look back on a long history, as the estate itself has been documented for over 1,200 years. Now in its fifth generation, the management is firmly in the hands of the Fauth family, with Florian Fauth running the business as cellar master together with his parents Ruth and Ernst Fauth.

The vineyards of the winery cover around 15 to 18 hectares. Florian Fauth focuses mainly on classic grape varieties such as Riesling, the various Burgundy varieties (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), Silvaner and Scheurebe. The estate is particularly proud of its excellent vineyards, some of which are among the best in the region: the Westhofener Kirchspiel, the Westhofener Morstein and the Westhofener Steingrube.

The wine philosophyof the estate is clearly orientated towards the highest quality. It includes sustainable cultivation of the vineyards, late harvesting of fully ripe grapes, strict selection and gentle processing in the cellar. Gault Millau aptly describes Florian Fauth's style: "More classic varieties, more intensity and pressure in the wines, ever more self-confident Rieslings. The facets shine ever more dazzlingly!". His wines are characterised by animating fruit, mineral accents, the right amount of acidity, special clarity and fine melting.

2. The winemaker: Florian Fauth

Florian Fauth is the winemaker who has been instrumental in this success. His interest in high-quality wine was awakened as a teenager. He trained at renowned wineries in the Palatinate before taking over his parents' business and developing it further. His wines are not only popular in the region, but are also appreciated internationally. His style is characterised by elegance, clarity and delicacy rather than pure power. Critics speak of "unobtrusive, yet crystalline clarity, silky texture, fresh fruit and kinetic acidity". This approach deliberately sets him apart from his better-known brother-in-law, Klaus-Peter Keller, and makes his wines independent, characterful representatives of their terroir.

3. Focus on the special wine: "Same same - but different"

The direct search for the "Pinot 'Jonathan' Sekt b.A. brut"you requested did not lead to any specific hits. Instead, I came across a very characteristic wine from the estate that bears the name "Jonathan" and has a social purpose. The sparkling wine I was looking for is probably a misnomer for the following wine:

Wine name: Seehof "same same - but different" (vintages 2023/2024)
Price: approx. €9.95 per 0.75 litre bottle

This wine is not a sparkling wine, but a dry, feather-light white wine that tells a very special story:

• The name:The name "same same - but different" symbolises the appreciative message from Florian Fauth and his wife Katja, which can be read on the back label of the wine. It focuses on the individuality of each person and emphasises the importance of equal opportunities.

• The background:together with wine merchant Pinard de Picard, the couple are committed to helping their son Jonathan and other people with disabilities. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this wine go to a charitable cause, such as the Kleinsägmühlerhof of Lebenshilfe e.V..

• The cuvée (vintage 2024): The wine is a cuvée of Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, freshened up only by a touch of Scheurebe. This composition gives it a playful, enchanting character.

• The flavour profile:The wine is dry and presents itself almost floating on the palate, with the Pinot Blanc providing a perfect texture and the Riesling responsible for juiciness and drinkability. The flavour is described as fresh, subtle, playful and reminiscent of Moscato d'Asti - but absolutely dry.

4. Sparkling wines from the Seehof winery

The Seehof winery produces sparkling wines that you might confuse with the product you are looking for. The range includes, for example

• Riesling Sekt Brut

• Riesling Brut Limestone

• Pinot Blanc Chardonnay sparkling wine or Secco

These sparkling wines are described as full of finesse, with a fresh flavour of peach and apricot, a lively acidity structure and pronounced minerality. However, a direct "Pinot Jonathan sparkling wine" is not listed in the available sources.

5. Rating and conclusion

The Seehof winery under the management of Florian Fauth stands for a fascinating blend of deep tradition, modern craftsmanship and the highest level of social responsibility. Fauth manages to reflect the exceptional terroirs of Westhofen in wines of crystalline clarity and elegance. His wines undoubtedly belong to the top class of the region.

The wine "same same - but different" is an outstanding example of this character. It is a wonderful white wine full of character, which not only convinces with its flavour, but also supports a great social idea with its proceeds. However, if you are looking for a classic sparkling wine with a Pinot Noir, the house's Riesling and Burgundy cuvées offer an excellent alternative.