Simone Adams

Biodynamics with Purpose and Reason

Simone Adams is a meticulous observer and worker. She is convinced that one should not follow a rigid formula in the vineyard, but rather that every action must be carefully considered and adapted to the specific situation. In the comparatively wet year of 2023, she planted the winter cover crop as early as August. This crop competes with the vines, absorbs excess water, and thus protects the berries from ripening too quickly and bursting. Simone works 100% in harmony with nature; she has been certified organic for years and now also practices biodynamic farming. However, she is not bound by ideological blinders. For example, if—as in the fall of 2023—a rapid, almost explosive fermentation occurs due to a good supply of nutrients, she does not hesitate to cool the containers to prevent the formation of undesirable fermentation byproducts. Simone Adams wants to give nature room to express itself in her wines and therefore relies on the benefits of biodynamics and regenerative viticulture. Her biodynamic approach is evident, for example, in her use of homemade compost tea and a no-till strategy, in which the soil is no longer tilled in order to preserve the natural soil environment. It goes almost without saying that all her wines are hand-harvested, unfined, and unfiltered.

Simone Adams' Limestone-Rich Vineyards in Ingelheim

Simone Adams cultivates about 10 hectares of vineyards in Ingelheim’s finest sites, such as Heerweg Pares and Horn. With carbonate content exceeding 70%, her vineyards are among the most limestone-rich in Germany. As is typical in Burgundy, the Burgundy grape varieties thrive here. When dividing her vineyards into plots, Simone pays close attention to the limestone content in the soil. Her Pinot Noirs are made entirely from German-bred vines. As a result, they typically exhibit bright fruit characteristics and tend to have higher acidity.

Wine production at Adams Wein

Regardless of the vintage, Simone Adams’ single-vineyard Pinot Noirs are always fermented using 100% whole clusters, and even her Ingelheim Pinot Noir always includes a portion of whole clusters. The wines are then aged in small wooden barrels, most of which are used. For her white wines, she relies on extended maceration and, in some cases, aging in stainless steel tanks. The single-vineyard wines are all pressed as whole clusters and aged in both small and large wooden barrels. All wines undergo spontaneous fermentation and remain on the lees until shortly before bottling. They are bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Questions and Answers About Simone Adams

Where is the Simone Adams Winery located?

The AdamsWein Winery is located in Ingelheim in Rheinhessen. It is run by Simone Adams, who holds a Ph.D. in oenology and pursues a distinctive, precise, and terroir-driven winemaking style here.

What is the style of Simone Adams’ wines?

Simone Adams’ wines are characterized by elegance, finesse, and precision. They avoid overripeness, over-extraction, and high alcohol levels, and reflect the subtlety of the cool climate at the 50th parallel.

Which vineyards and soils characterize Simone Adams’ wines?

Simone Adams cultivates about 10 hectares in Ingelheim’s finest vineyards, such as Heerweg Pares and Horn. The highly calcareous soils, with carbonate content exceeding 70%, are among the most limestone-rich in Germany.

Which grape varieties and wines are the focus of Simone Adams’ work?

The focus is on Burgundy varieties, particularly Pinot Noir with German genetics. These produce wines with bright fruit, a delicate structure, and lively acidity.

How are Simone Adams’ wines aged?

The Pinot Noirs are fermented using 100% whole clusters and aged primarily in small, used wooden barrels. The white wines undergo spontaneous fermentation, are aged partly in stainless steel and partly in wooden barrels, and are bottled unclarified and unfiltered.