Marto Wines

Based in Rheinhessen, Martin Wörner produces Marto Wines organically on sandstone soils since his first harvest in 2017. Fully invested in organic farming and natural winemaking, his grapes are hand harvested, and his wines, a challenge to the ideas of what German winemaking can be.

His grandfather is known as a pioneer in the region, as one of the first grape growers to sell wines under his own name in the village of Flonheim, rather than selling grapes to local co-operatives. Though his father chose to cultivate fruits rather than wines, the vineyards were maintained until 2015 when Martin took over.

In 2015, Martin worked at Gut Oggau with Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe and in 2016 at Matassa with Tom Lubbe, some of the natural wine world’s most recognised producers. Applying a mix of both organic and biodynamic farming principles, Martin works approximately 5 hectares of vines, with a focus on soil health and biodiversity. Sheep are used to eat the grasses and no tilling occurs.

Between fermentation and bottling, Martin’s wines live in old barrels, foudres and Mosel casks, where they are ultimately bottled unfiltered, unfined and without any additions or sulphur. Under German law, Martin is unable to put the village on label, so the rock is a nod to Flonheim and its characteristic sandstone.