HADES

The winegrowers' association in the German winegrowing region of Württemberg was founded in 1986 as the "New Oak Barrel Study Group". It consists of wineries that have dedicated themselves to barrique ageing. The name is formed from the initial letters of the five founding companies and alludes to the roasting of the barrels with the name of the Greek god of the underworld (hell). These are Fürst zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen and Sonnenhof, Adelmann, Drautz-Able, Ellwanger Jürgen. Later, the State Teaching and Research Centre in Weinsberg was added to provide scientific support.

The main aim was to improve the image and recognition of barrique ageing, which was frowned upon in Germany at the time and remained so until the mid-1990s, through appropriate campaigns and, above all, high-quality wines. The HADES seal is only awarded to the best vintages and is granted as part of a sensory test by the members. The German Barrique Forum association has a similar objective.

Logo: HADES

Voices of our members

The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena

Welcome back!

HADES

Voices of our members

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

EVENTS NEAR YOU