Fine cuisine is always accompanied by fine wine and the Schneider winery offers both. Christoph and Johannes Schneider produce the finest wines from grapes that thrive in the unique climate of southwest Germany. And at their cosy Café Gupi in Weil am Rhein, with the help of Christoph and Felix Düster from the hotel Rührberger Hof, they serve guests a refined variety of gourmet dishes – which are so good it makes you search in vain for a concealed Michelin star!
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE
ARE OFTEN QUITE SIMPLE
Like HORL ®, Christoph and Johannes Schneider attach great importance to precision. And just like us, it results in products that are characterised by a certain lightness – while at HORL ® it is the gentle rolling motion of the sharpener, the Schneider winery has fine products that inspire with their freshness and elegance in equal measure.
As with many upmarket wineries, however, the claim behind their wines is basically quite simple. Since 2018, their guiding principles are that Schneider wines are produced in biodynamic viticulture, close to nature and artisanal. That their wines achieve a mouthfeel and unmistakable character is something the Schneiders attach great importance to, as well as the excellent taste, which they have constantly improved over the years. Both are fascinated by flavours and never cease to develop their taste buds.
The finer things in life
with Christof and Johannes Schneider
But what was our purpose in visiting their beautiful vineyard between Ötlingen and Weil am Rhein? Quite simply, we wanted to know what role well-sharpened knives played for them.
MEMORIES OF MOMENTS
YOU NEVER FORGET
The knives that we saw there were used for their vineyard work, among other things. For example, when Christoph and Johannes free vines from old or dry grapes, or to test the soil’s hardness – important for determining how moist or dry the subsoil is. However, the two winegrowers not only associate fond memories with one knife that has been in their family for over 50 years: This was used by their grandfather for skinning rabbits, including their two beloved barn rabbits on return from a holiday with their parents... Sad as this was for them at the time, it was clear to them the knife needed proper sharpening beforehand. Having always sharp blades on hand and working them to a perfect degree of sharpness was always a matter of course in their family.
WORK BECOMES A PLEASURE
AND STAYS THAT WAY
We asked them what a winegrower actually does all day. Their answer was that it all depends – on the season, the weather, the ripeness of the grapes and the condition of the soil. In spring, for example, ground cover is sown between the vines. This is an ecological way of retaining moisture in the soil to a certain extent.
In summer, the degree of ripeness of the grapes is permanently checked, in order to plan the harvest at the optimum moment. In late summer and autumn, it is finally harvesting time, when the fruit of their efforts is gathered in.
Some extremely "sleek" blades are also used in their Café Gupi. It is here that Christoph Düster cooks up dishes in just a few square metres of space that is cleverly and efficiently organised. Legendary, for example, are his starters of pickled and marinated freshwater fish, which he serves with cucumbers, peas and buttermilk. Or his double-decker dessert with sorrel ice cream and raspberry juice in a pistachio mousse shaped like a raspberry.
EXAMPLES THAT OTHERS
CAN TAKE A LEAF OUT OF HIS BOOK
The compact structure and highly complex flavour density of these and his other dishes, require a precision that can only be achieved with almost surgically sharp knives. That is why a HORL sharpener has become an indispensable part of Christoph Düster's daily kitchen routine.
FINER QUALITY
IS SELDOM FOUND
Another special feature at Café Gupi: At the bar, guests can enjoy a variety of cocktails made exclusively with in-house wines. Wafer-thin zests and neatly cut fruit additions perfectly round off these refreshing creations in terms of taste and appearance.
EVEN THE NAME
IMPLIES GOOD FLAVOUR
Oh, and before we forget: The name "Café Gupi" is a contraction of the German names for the varieties of wine grapes that Christoph and Johannes Schneider started with in 2018 –Chasselas and those of the Pinot family. Which in turn completes the culinary circle in the Schneider cosmos of enjoyment.