Dernau in the Ahr Valley. The river has dug its wet bed in a deep gorge, surrounded by rocks, chasms and mountains. The area lies in the rain shadow of the Eifel and the High Fens, which means it gets a lot of sun. In summer, the climate here is almost Mediterranean, perfect for the perfect ripening of red grape varieties. A gift from nature. The Pinot Noirs from Dörte and Meike Näkel also benefit from it. The two sisters are excellent winemakers, they know the area, its advantages and the dangers too. Anyone who lives on a river like the Ahr knows about the risk of flooding. Warnings are taken seriously. Prepare yourself. Pack sandbags. Build up walls. Seal buildings and barricade everything so water can’t get in.
When the first drops fell on July 14, 2021, the Näkel sisters still thought that it would soon be over. A torrential downpour, sure, but nothing to worry about or even flee from. You underestimate heaven.
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