Makalie
– Baden, Germany
In the idyllic hills of Markgräflerland, on the edge of the Black Forest, rising stars Max and Karo practice biodynamic and regenerative farming. Their vineyards showcase Baden as a wine region, boasting steep slopes and diverse soils, including limestone, marlstone, and volcanic loess.
Makalié derives its name from “maka” (Native American for earth) and “lié” (French for connection), even though these winemakers operate in Germany. Both Max and Karo are Geisenheim University graduates, with Max gaining experience at wineries like Gut Oggau and Claus Presinger, and Karo at Domaine Fouassier and Cyprien Arlaud, among others. Their used oak comes from Burgundy, sourced from familiar producers.
With Makalié, they fulfill their dream of crafting their own (natural) wines, currently cultivating 1 hectare without their vineyards, as they didn’t inherit any. They source grapes from trusted biodynamic farmers, always personally harvesting—an essential control point during the crucial decision-making moments of the year. Maturation occurs in used Burgundian barrels or amphorae to preserve clarity, resulting in terroir-focused wines that are elegant, pure, and remarkably tranquil. Unadulterated terroir is at the forefront, and 2020 marked their inaugural bottling.
Their Weissburgunder delivers warmth and depth, while their Chardonnay exhibits crystal-clear minerality. The rosé, crafted from Spätburgunder, balances complexity and verticality with juiciness. The top cuvée, Bleuwen, emerges from 45-year-old vines on steep limestone and marlstone slopes.
Cultivation: 2 ha
Production: A few hundred per cuvée
Varieties: Gutedel, Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Spatburgunder
Approach: Biodynamic, Natural
Certifications: N/A
Sulfites: <10 mg total
