Seehaldenhof

Simon Hornstein: The Face Behind the Seehaldenhof Winery

At just 32 years old, Simon Hornstein has already earned an impressive array of awards: Eichelmann’s “Discovery of the Year” in 2021, Vinum’s “Discovery of the Year” in 2022, Falstaff’s “Newcomer of the Year” in 2023, and the highest-ranked newcomer in Gault & Millau that same year—to name just a few. This is all the more gratifying given that his distinctive style is elegant, delicate, and understated. He seeks to express the delicate terroir of the Bavarian Lake Constance region and works very gently and with restraint in the cellar. For his white wines, he relies on whole-cluster pressing, followed by spontaneous fermentation and extended aging on the lees—in some cases for up to 18 months in barriques and large wooden barrels. For his Pinots, Simon opts for spontaneous maceration. Aging takes place primarily in barriques, and for his top wines, he occasionally uses a new barrel. However, the oak never comes across as overpowering or dominant; rather, it is always harmoniously integrated and underscores the wines’ robust texture.

Seehaldenhof - Winemaking Right on the Bavarian Lake Constance

The Seehaldenhof is located in the idyllic village of Nonnenhorn, a few kilometers west of Lindau—right on the lake. The Bavarian Lake Constance region is scenically beautiful and a major tourist destination. Many of the wines are sold directly from the winery or at the numerous festivals and events—one reason why Lake Constance wines are rarely found in stores outside the region. Under wine law, the subregion of the Bavarian Lake Constance belongs to the Württemberg wine-growing region. However, hardly anyone here identifies as a Württemberger—the conditions are simply too different. The similarities with the Remstal or the Unterland are limited anyway. At most, some winemakers share a certain preference for Burgundy grape varieties.

Vineyard Sites and Grape Varieties at the Seehaldenhof Winery

At the Seehaldenhof, primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown on just over 8 hectares. The selection is complemented by Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. The winery’s best vineyard is Seehalde, located directly on the lake: with plenty of gravel and stones in its sandy soil, it bears the strong imprint of the last Ice Age. Second is the Sonnenbichl, a site located slightly further inland with a warmer climate and slightly less barren soil. This contrast is also reflected in the estate’s two top-tier Chardonnays.

Although it is very sunny by the lake, the region is considered a cool-climate area. The vineyards are located at an average altitude of about 400 meters, and temperatures during the growing season are comparable to those in the Wonnegau. A striking difference from many other wine-growing regions, however, is the high precipitation—here, it is nearly twice the national average. Even though the focus is clearly on Burgundy varieties, the Müller-Thurgau—typical of Lake Constance—continues to be cultivated, including in the regional cuvée “Bodensee Blanc.”

Sustainability and Cellar Work at the Seehaldenhof

At the Seehaldenhof, great importance is placed on sustainability in the vineyard. With cover crops and plenty of manual labor, the focus is on working in harmony with nature. However, due to high rainfall, the winery is not certified organic—the risk of disease is simply too high. When necessary, conventional pesticides are used on a selective basis. As a FAIR’n’GREEN member, however, sustainability doesn’t stop at the edge of the vineyard—the entire operation is embedded in a comprehensive sustainability system. In addition to nature conservation and environmental protection, social responsibility is also a top priority.

In the cellar, white wines are gently pressed as whole clusters, followed by spontaneous fermentation and extended aging on the lees—in some cases for up to 18 months in barriques and large wooden barrels. For the Pinots, Simon Hornstein relies on spontaneous fermentation on the skins. Aging takes place primarily in barriques, though new barrels are occasionally used for the top wines. The oak never comes across as overpowering or dominant, but is always harmoniously integrated, underscoring the wines’ robust structure. Both white and red wines are bottled unfiltered.