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Hermann's first Volkswagen
Hermann J. Wiemer
A Finger Lakes Legend
Hermann Wiemer was born in Bernkastel, Germany into a family where both parents had an extensive background in the distinguished vinifera wines of the Mosel Valley. His mother's family had a winemaking history of over 300 years continuously in the business. His father was the head of the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bernkastel. The Wiemer family actually lived at the experiment station during his tenure.
The elder Wiemer was responsible for restoring vines in the Mosel region after WWII. As a result, he recognized the importance of grafting vinifera - especially the importance of grafting vinifera on American rootstock. Ultimately, this conviction led him to convince Dr. Thanisch - who maintained the most famous riesling vineyard in the world - to graft Mosel rieslings onto American rootstock
Hermann spent summers as a youth learning to graft by hand, and also studied the business formally, gaining exposure to the best viticultural practices concerning the vinifera grape. Looking ever farther afield for more exposure to winemaking practices, Hermann decided to come to the United States in 1968. He worked for several years with the French-American hybrids that were the focus of winemaking in the region, but was never convinced of the superiority of the hybrid grape.
Hermann recognized the climate of the region, the moderating effects of the lakes, and the heavy shale soils as conditions favored by the Riesling grape of his native Germany. He found this especially true of Seneca Lake, where peaches and cherries grow in abundance. Also during this time Hermann noticed the initial sucesses of Dr. Konstantin Frank, who had begun experimenting with growing vinifera grapes in the region.
In 1973, Hermann purchased a 140 acre abandoned farm on the west side of Seneca Lake. Restoring the original barn first for workspace for the fledgling nursery and winery, Hermann lived in the loft of the barn for 10 years as he established the business and restored the Victorian Italianate residence. He quickly planted the suitable acreage with a range of European vinifera including his signature Johannisberg Riesling.
The first vintage of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards, a 1979, was released in late 1980. The resuls of the next 25+ years speak for themselves - Hermann J. Wiemer wines are internationally renown and sought after by the well-versed oenophile.