As early as the 1960s, Franz Keller senior attracted attention when, during land consolidation in the Kaiserstuhl, he advocated for the preservation of the historic small terraces and steep slopes, whose origins date back to Roman times. His commitment laid the foundation for today’s estate, renowned for its expressive Burgundy-style wines, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder).
Today, Fritz and Friedrich Keller are recognized for their determined and consistent pursuit of wines with character, finesse, and a distinctive identity. Their philosophy combines tradition with innovation and is reflected both in meticulous vineyard care and in the winemaking process.
The estate places great emphasis on environmentally responsible viticulture, including organic fertilization, mechanical soil cultivation, and cover crops to naturally enrich the humus. Yield reduction through thinning, green harvesting, and selective cluster division ensures grape quality.
The winery’s terraced architecture blends harmoniously into the unique cultural landscape of the Kaiserstuhl. This design enables gentle grape handling under optimal conditions. The fusion of building and nature, combined with the use of gravity in winemaking, defines the special layout of grape reception, cellar, and vinotheque.
All roof areas are planted with native grass seeds from the nearby Badberg nature reserve. By embedding the building into the hillside, an energy concept was created that ensures ideal climatic conditions for the development and maturation of the wines, with technical facilities merely supporting the natural environment.