The winery is located in the municipality of Bad Dürkheim (Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße area) in the German wine-growing region of Pfalz. Viticulture has been practised by the Peter family since 1774, the foundation stone was laid by Philipp Wilhelm Peter. The Castel Peter wine estate was founded in 1983 by master winemaker Wilfried Peter and his wife Heike. Wilfried Peter was also the main initiator of the founding of the Barrique Forum Pfalz. In 2007 there were changes in the winery. As there was no successor from the family, the winery was leased out. Since then, the new owners have been Barbara Hoffmann and Albrecht Merck - both graduates of a viticulture degree in Geisenheim. Barbara Hoffmann, a trained winemaker with experience in several European countries, is the technical manager responsible for the outdoor operations and the cellar. Albrecht Merck is responsible for commercial matters and the marketing of the wines.
The vineyards cover 14 hectares of vines in the single vineyard sites Fuchsmantel, Hochbenn, Spielberg (Bad Dürkheim) and Herrenberg (Ungstein). They are planted with the white wine varieties Riesling, Kerner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as with the red wine varieties Pinot Meunier, Dornfelder, Acolon, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Cubin and Cabernet Mitos. Organic viticulture is practised according to the rules of the ECOVIN association with organic fertilisation through cover crop and renunciation of herbicides. Only 100% healthy and ripe grapes are used for processing.
The wines are marketed in three classes. The estate wines (*) are produced with a maximum yield of 85 hl/ha. The selection wines (**) have a maximum yield of 65 hl/ha; the white wines are left on their lees for five months; the red wines mature for at least 12 months in large wooden barrels. The premium wines (***) have a maximum yield of 40 hl/ha from only the best grapes; the red wines have an extended maceration period and mature for at least 12 months in new barrique. The premium wines include the Chardonnay, matured for 18 months in new barriques, and the red wine cuvée "Dizzy" (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon), matured for 36 months in new barriques. About 100,000 bottles of wine are produced annually, of which about 5% go to the Netherlands and Denmark. The winery is a member of ECOVIN and Forum Pfalz, Barbara Hoffmann is a member of Vinissima.
