Alanna Lagamba Frauen Power Rosé 2023

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Alanna's path to winemaking was unconventional. After completing an art history degree at age 25, she moved to Berlin. While working in the wine industry in Berlin, she met Martin Wörner of Marto Wines at a wine fair. She promised to help him with his next harvest in Rheinhessen, and what began as a commitment turned into a love story—both with winemaking and with Martin himself.

Based in Flonheim, about an hour southwest of Frankfurt, Alanna works alongside Martin on his Marto Wines project while maintaining her own distinct label. The couple now farms approximately 20 hectares of vineyards in the rolling hills of Rheinhessen's countryside, an area sometimes called "the Switzerland of Rheinhessen" for its gentle elevation and varied terrain.

Rheinhessen is Germany's largest wine region, covering approximately 27,000 hectares of vineyards in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Located on the left bank of the Rhine River between the cities of Mainz, Bingen, and Worms, this historic region has been producing wine since Roman times. The oldest documented German vineyard, Glöck, was recorded here in 742 AD.

Geography and Climate

Known as the "Land of the Thousand Hills," Rheinhessen features gently rolling farmland rather than the steep slopes found in neighboring regions like the Mosel or Rheingau. The Rhine River forms the region's northern and eastern boundaries, with the Nahe River to the west and the Haardt mountains to the south. This geography creates a protected valley with a mild climate and relatively low annual rainfall of around 500mm, making it one of Germany's driest wine-producing areas.

The best vineyard sites lie along the Rhine Terrace (Rheinterrasse), particularly the famous Roter Hang (Red Slope) between Nackenheim and Nierstein, where distinctive red slate and sandstone soils impart mineral complexity to the wines. The river moderates temperatures, reflects sunlight, and helps trap heat in the valley, while surrounding hills and forests provide shelter from harsh weather.

Grape Varieties

Rheinhessen produces predominantly white wines, with white grapes accounting for approximately 71% of plantings. Riesling has become the most planted variety at around 18% of vineyard area, overtaking Müller-Thurgau (15%) in recent years. The region also boasts the world's largest acreage of Silvaner, an ancient variety experiencing a quality renaissance.

Among red varieties, Dornfelder leads at approximately 13% of plantings, followed by Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). Other notable varieties include Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and Scheurebe—a crossing created in the region by Georg Scheu at the Alzey Research Institute in 1916.

Wine Styles and Quality

Rheinhessen's reputation was long overshadowed by its association with Liebfraumilch, the mass-produced, semi-sweet blend that originated in Worms. However, the region has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. A new generation of ambitious winemakers—including influential figures like Klaus Peter Keller and Philipp Wittmann—has elevated Rheinhessen's standing by focusing on dry, terroir-driven wines of exceptional quality.

The region now produces a diverse range of styles, from fresh, accessible everyday wines to world-class Rieslings with depth and complexity. Rheinhessen has also developed a strong sparkling wine (Sekt) culture, with producers like Sekthaus Raumland gaining international recognition. The Selection Rheinhessen program, established in the 1990s, promotes top-tier dry wines that express authentic regional character.

Natural and Organic Viticulture

Rheinhessen leads all German wine regions in organic viticulture, with a growing number of producers embracing biodynamic and natural winemaking practices. This progressive approach has attracted younger winemakers who experiment with minimal intervention techniques, including natural fermentation, no added sulfites, and ancestral method sparkling wines (pétillant naturel).

Visiting Rheinhessen

The region's capital, Mainz, serves as Germany's unofficial wine capital and is home to major wine organizations including the German Wine Institute. Unlike other German wine regions with designated wine routes, Rheinhessen's villages are so thoroughly integrated with viticulture that virtually every road can be considered a wine road. The region offers over 290 kilometers of hiking trails and 500 kilometers of cycling paths, allowing visitors to explore the picturesque vineyard landscapes and welcoming wine villages at their own pace.