Ulrich – call him “Ulli” – Stein is one of our most beloved growers.
Honestly, he’s a father-figure to me. He has been one of the most important growers for me in so many ways that expand beyond wine and winemaking. Talk about organic viticulture and sulfur use and he’ll speak to these subjects with incredible insight and honesty, and then turn the conversation toward paying workers fair wages, Tom Waits, his love affair with jazz, steep-slope viticulture, the beauty and importance of ungrafted vines and Syrian refugees in the Mosel (Ulli’s wife Ruth helps the refugees, teaching them German among other things).
Stein’s home, a 19th century hotel on top of a small mountain overlooking the Mosel, is the meeting place for Germany’s artists, musicians, intellectuals and bohemians. For nearly a decade, it has been my home when I’ve been in the Mosel.
So now, finally, after begging Ulli to come to the U.S. for the last decade, he’s coming! From March 8th to March 14th, 2018, Ulli Stein will be in New York City. Finally, I get to offer up my home to Ulli. Stein hates(!) flying, and so New York will be his only stop. For that, I’m truly sorry.
Why is Stein so important? Check out our grower biography here. In any event, I’ve had so many people asking about what Ulli’s doing while he’s in New York that I’ve decided to publish the schedule on-line. One stop shopping. Please come out and see us if you can!
Sorry, a number of the events are industry only. Please email info at vomboden dot come to RSVP.
– Stephen Bitterolf
Thursday, March 8th
5-7pm, Flatiron Wine & Spirts: Ulli Stein and the old vines, an open-to-the-public tasting!
7:00pm, Four Horsemen: While this dinner is sold out, Stein will be poured BTG and we will be going deep and hanging late – please come by!
Saturday, March 10th
Evening, Peck’s Arcade and Lucas Confectionery: Hello Troy and Albany – we’ll visit the state house and petition for sane gun control, then we’ll go drink with the great people of Troy.
Monday, March 12th
10-11:30am, Momofuku Ssam Bar, “Wurzelecht vs. Own-Rooted” starring Ulli Stein and Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co. INDUSTRY ONLY, sorry! RSVP to info at vomboden dot come if you are interested in attending. The seasoned doctor (Stein has his PhD in biology) and the young genius (Twain-Peterson just got his M.W.) come to the same topic – ungrafted vines – from wildly different perspectives. Yet the question for both of them is the same: Why are ungrafted vines important? Are they important? Is this more a matter of romanticism, or is there a biological/chemical difference in the way ungrafted vines grow and develop? We’ll taste a number of wines and get geeky – so bring your graphing calculator.
6-8pm, Union Square Wines, “Wurzelecht vs. Own-Rooted” starring Ulli Stein & Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co.
A consumer tasting focusing on six wines, all from ungrafted vines, from wildly different climates and environs.
Wednesday, March 14th
Evening, undisclosed location, “SULFUR: PURITY AND CORRUPTION / CORRUPTION AND SALVATION” starring Ulli Stein, Alex Kongsgaard and Abe Schoener of The Scholium Project. INDUSTRY ONLY, sorry! RSVP to info at vomboden dot com if you are interested in attending. A tasting/seminar/experience with open and honest discussions regarding sulfur and winemaking including the ultimate blind tasting.