5 minutes with... Our Interview with Judith Beck

"Biodynamic" and "organic" are terms that this incredible winemaker was grappling with long before it was trendy. As early as 2007, it was clear to Judith that she wanted to work in harmony with nature and switch entirely to biodynamic farming. The result? Wines that bear her signature touch in every sip.

8gb: Hello dear Judith, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions about you and your wines! For those who don't know your wines yet, what makes them so special in your eyes?

Judith: "I don't know if they are special. They are definitely very personal. And I hope that they always make you want more. Clarity and lightness are very important to me."

8gb: Did it come natural for you to produce natural wine, or how did it come about?

Judith: "When I started making wine in 2001, I had a more classical approach. Then in 2006/2007 we switched to biodynamic farming. The motivation for us was simply the goal of improving quality. In other words, better soils - better grapes - better wines. After a few years, when it became clearer and clearer how much the quality of the grapes was changing and what wonderful material I suddenly had, the handling in the cellar also changed step by step. It was a very organic, logical development."

Judith: "It's not simply a matter of omitting sulfur, but it's a completely different approach, from start to finish. Simply a logical consequence and continuation of the work in the vineyard."

Best Pizza Partner

8gb: What do you like to eat with your wines? Which pairings do you like?

Judith: "Our portfolio is now so large - I think we can actually accompany everything. We often make wood-fired pizza, so Hunny Bunny is just a perfect fit."

8gb: What is one of the biggest life lessons you've learned so far since making your own wines?

Judith: "Looking closely, paying attention, being present in what you're doing."

8gb: Can you remember your first experience with natural wine?

Judith: "There are many, good and bad. Genius and madness are often very close together. Not my first, but a definitely unforgettable experience was a visit to Richard Leroy on the Loire."

Creativity and variety

8gb: What is the most beautiful thing for you in the whole winemaking process?

Judith: "On the one hand, the fact that it is probably the most varied profession in the world and you can accompany a wine from the plant to the bottle. On the other hand, the freedom we have gained for ourselves in winemaking. Each harvest is an incredibly creative process with lots of experimentation."

8gb: If you had the opportunity to start all over again today, would you do anything differently?

Judith: "With the experience I have today, I would probably start right away with natural wine. But I'm happy about every experience I've gained along the way. The experience also gives a lot of peace and security."

8gb: What can we expect from you in the future?

Judith: "Probably always something new, because otherwise it gets too boring for me."