The Schneider family has been in the wine trade since 1575. Now the Schneiders cultivate 45 hectares, including 19 of their own, in some of the very best sites of the geologically diverse village Niederhausen. Over 52 different soil types can be found here, mostly based on volcanic rock and slate. The Schneider’s 2 hectare parcel in the Niederhauser Hermannshöhle, in the northeastern corner adjacent to the porphyric Klamm vineyard, was planted in 1939 in an area especially rich in red volcanic soil and grey slate. Niederhauser Klamm is a tiny, concave gorge 500 meters east of the Hermannshöhle and composed of porphyry rich in ore, with a limited number of owners. Niederhauser Felsensteyer, composed of melaphyr, benefits from the heat emitted by the surrounding mass of rock. Working as closely as possible to nature in the vineyards, the Schneiders use humus in their very steep vineyards to help absorb and retain water, as well as straw and hay to prevent erosion. The winery is seeing modernization as a result of son Jakob Scheider joining the winery following his studies at Geisenheim and a practicum at Knoll in Austria’s Wachau. Such innovations have included the purchase of a new tank press and installation of air-conditioning in the cellar. 2400 and 1200 liter casks of oak from the Hunsrück forests around Stromberg are employed in the cellar in combination with stainless steel tanks. 50% of the wines spontaneously ferment with natural yeast, whose must is then used to inoculate any juice slow to begin fermentation. Schneider’s wines maintain an old world charm while showcasing a stalwart minerality only derived from the amazing terroirs from which they hale.