The "Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoß-Altenahr e.G." was founded in 1868 under the name "Winzerverein Mayschoß an der Ahr". Mergers took place in 1982 with the Altenahr winegrowers' cooperative and in 2009 with the Walporzheim winegrowers' cooperative, which was founded in 1871 and has since been known as Weinmanufaktur Walporzheim. Matthias Baltes is the chairman of the board and managing director, Rudolf Stodden the sales manager and Rolf Münster the cellar master. Visits to the historic wine barrel cellar with its adjoining wine museum are possible. In addition, a variety of events, such as culinary wine tastings with top chefs, are organised around wine.
Today, 450 members cultivate 150 hectares of vineyards in the German wine-growing region of Ahr, including the single vineyards Eck (Altenahr), Sonnenberg (Neuenahr), Kräuterberg (Walporzheim) as well as Burgberg, Laacherberg, Mönchberg (Mayschoß). The main grape variety, accounting for about two-thirds, is Pinot Noir, followed by Riesling with about 15%. Other grape varieties are Frühburgunder, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Blauer Portugieser, Domina, Müller-Thurgau, Kerner and Regent. The internal quality programmes are characterised in particular by yield reductions in the vineyards of the participating winegrowers. The vineyards are subjected to a credit check twice a year, mainly yield reduction, as well as leaf wall care, soil care and the health of the vines.
The cooperative is particularly dedicated to the production of quality red wines. The premium wines include Walporzheimer Kräuterberg Spätburgunder, Pinot Noir "R" Ahr-Spätburgunder and a special site wine collection. In 2020, the WG won second place in the international cooperative cup of the trade magazine Vinum, among other awards, and emerged from the race as the "Best German Cooperative". The average annual production is 1.2 million bottles. The wines are largely marketed in the three vinotheques in Altenahr, Mayschoß and Walporzheim. The cooperative is a member of the Generation Riesling winegrowers' association.
Mayschoß: By Reinhardhauke - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Altenahr: Axel Hindemith, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
