Two esteemed family-owned wineries, hailing from the Stellenbosch region in South Africa and Germany’s Pfalz region, have joined forces in a distinctive collaboration to craft a Riesling wine that not only highlights their dedication to the Riesling grape variety but also underscores the significance of family-owned vineyards.
Named “Staying Alive Riesling,” this collaboration unites the pioneering Delheim Estate in Stellenbosch and the Wine Estate Hammel in Kirchbaum, solidifying the connection between the Sperling family of Delheim and the Hammel family, who have been producing wine in Kirchbaum since 1723.
The genesis of this wine arises from a four-decade friendship between Christoph Hammel, the ninth-generation winemaker at Wine Estate Hammel, and the Sperlings of Delheim. Christoph’s winemaking journey began under the guidance of Delheim patriarch Spatz Sperling in the 1980s.
Nora Sperling Thiel, co-owner and director of Delheim, describes the collaboration with Christoph Hammel as the culmination of a 40-year relationship and friendship between two families deeply entrenched in the wine realms of South Africa and Germany.
“Since Christoph worked under my father at Delheim, the two families have maintained contact, closely tracking each other’s progress in the wine world. They’ve shared ideas and visions for the ever-evolving wine markets,” she explains. “With a Riesling vineyard on our farm, my brother Victor and I considered creating a wine from it. Bringing Christoph into the discussion, we collectively decided to embark on an original endeavor – crafting a Riesling that originates from Delheim’s vineyard while incorporating Christoph’s influence every step of the way.”
Such a unique partnership naturally warranted a distinctive, stand-alone brand. Hence, the wine aptly dons the name “Staying Alive,” accompanied by a vibrant retro label as a collaborative creation between Delheim and Hammel.
Christoph Hammel, in his quest for original and challenging ventures, expresses how the Staying Alive partnership with Delheim has been an inspiring endeavor. Reflecting on his time at Delheim during the 1980s under Spatz Sperling’s mentorship, Christoph emphasizes its profound impact on shaping his winemaking philosophy. “Now having the opportunity to collaborate with Spatz’s children, Nora and Victor, is nostalgic, inspiring, and, above all, immensely enjoyable,” he shares.
Crafted from a vineyard planted in 2007 at an elevation ranging from 320m to 340m, the debut Staying Alive Riesling 2022 was realized through the combined efforts of Delheim’s winemaker Roelof Lotriet and Christoph Hammel. Both parties agreed to create a Riesling in the “non-traditional” German style, emphasizing more fruit in the wine while minimizing the terpene character often associated with traditional Rieslings.
“After destemming and crushing, the juice underwent 24 hours of skin contact before pressing,” Lotriet details. “It was then stabilized and held at 2°C before being placed in concrete egg tanks and new 500l French oak and acacia wood barrels. To initiate fermentation, we employed yeast 1895C, which was isolated from wine residue discovered in a bottle of Swiss wine from 1895. After fermentation, the wine matured on lees for six months before bottling.”
The outcome, according to Roelof and Christoph, is a precise, clean, and focused interpretation of the Riesling grape, known for its ability to express its unique terroir.
Christoph asserts that the final wine reinforces the diverse terroir of Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg region, showcasing its adaptability to cultivate an array of cultivars that embody regional identity and exceptional quality. “The achievement with the Staying Alive Riesling exemplifies this,” he adds, “and participating in this venture alongside Delheim’s terroir features, the Sperling family, and Roelof’s winemaking team has been an exceptional experience.”
Victor Sperling, co-owner and director of Delheim, finds the playful name “Staying Alive” resonating on multiple levels. “Together with Christoph, we view Riesling as one of the world’s premier white grape varieties. Despite dwindling plantings in South Africa and only a handful of producers crafting wines from this cultivar, the ability of Riesling to yield exceptional wines underscores its enduring vitality,” Victor explains. “As the Hammels, with nine generations of winemaking, and Delheim, now in its third generation, both represent enduring family-owned wineries, ‘Staying Alive’ reinforces the enduring role of family in the world of wine.”
Regarding the spirited retro label of the wine, Christoph admits to driving its creative direction. “Retro is currently a significant trend in Germany, which influenced the label’s design. It also reflects the notion that while Delheim and Hammel boast a lengthy heritage, both remain actively engaged in the exciting evolution of the wine world. We’re definitely here to stay, forging ahead in our lifelong quest to produce quality, inspiring wines,” he concludes.
