Many people have their own stories with drinking wine, ranging from laid back to wacky. If you love wine, you have to read this blogpost or meet Philipp by yourself! I recently had a chance to catch him up and speak with him about his passion – making his own limited natural wine and spirits.
Chlapf
«Chlapf» was the name of Philipp’s first wine in 2019. The word «Chlapf» is Swiss German and difficult to translate but the word can mean a lot of things… for Philipp it reminds him of his first and very old car, the nights when he and his friends drunk until they had a «chlapf» or on beautiful events, when the fireworks light up the night sky (sound like a «chlapf»).
It all started two years ago in 2018 when Philipp meet and learned a lot from Markus Ruch. He quickly realized that he was interested in viticulture and looked for a vineyard. A vineyard that he cultivate belongs to an older man, who is no longer able to cultivate it – the slope has become too steep and dangerous for him. Another small but beautiful vineyard that Philipp is now cultivating is at the Hahnberg Castle from Adolf Röösli. Further inspiring person were Zündel who taught him to appreciate bio-dynamics and the uncompromising pursuit of quality and authenticity and as well Dominique Derein (one of the pioneers of «vins naturels») with him he discovered one of the most moody and difficult of all grape varieties, the Pinot Noir.
Philipp is a newcomer in the wine sector and focus on his own natural wines. His goal is to preserve the original character of the wines. You feel that he lives and loves his passion the fullest. He produces Pinot Noir, cultivated four vineyards and using the biological guidelines. Philipp leave everything as natural as possible and you will notice that his wine has the most unique taste in the world. The method of pruning and the caring of the vineyard takes awfully many hours.
Before the wine is sold it has matured in the stainless steel tank and been cellared in the barrique for several month. The wine, which is produced exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes, matures for about 10 month in the barrique vat to develop fully. After undergoing ageing for several month on fine lees, the wines are bottled and stored under ideal storage conditions. A barrique with 225 liters hold exactly 300 bottles with a volume of 0.75 liters.
Marc de Pinot Noir
The Marc is made from the pressed Pinot Noir grapes, the so-called «brewers grains» (pomace). In Italy this liquor is called grappa. The Marc is distilled exclusively from the Pinot Noir pomace which then ripens in a small wooden barrel.
Moosbruggstrasse 25 | chlapf.com | Instagram
Cocktails & Bitters
Philipp also has become a bartender with «Cocktails & Bitters» and is constantly developing new recipes and creations. He is the right partner for every type of event because every party deserves a professional bartender! Philipp masters the classic art of cocktail preparation and serves guests with style, charm and passion. Cocktails & Bitters promises a very special and individual bar experience. Philipp mixes drinks from wine and other grape drinks under the motto «drop your glasses, shake your asses».
You?
You are from St.Gallen and should be mentioned? Please write me an email!
