Ulrich Hoffmann - an energetic, motivated and passionate winemaker

Exceptional vinification and vineyard technology skills from over 20 years of international experience in the field.

Ulrich was born and grew up in Berlin, soon realising that not beer but wine was his passion and he moved to South Germany in 1999 to work for the prestigious Wine Estate Rolf Willy in Baden- Wuerttemberg while completing a two and a half years trade examination degree to become a qualified winemaker. During his time at Rolf Willy he successfully contributed to four vintages including one as assistant winemaker.

He finished top of all classes in Germany and received a further grant to study enology and viticulture at the State Research Institute for Viticulture and Enology in Weinsberg. Working intensively on projects regarding optimal sparkling wine production in difficult climate years and finishing his studies successfully with his final thesis about the variants of oak chips and their influences on white and red wine.

The vintages in Germany gave Ulrich a detailed understanding of the full range of German grape varietals and their production for the vinification of white, rosé, red and sparkling wine. While still studying he was hired for the well known Rioja Winery Artadi to work as assistant winemaker for the 2005 vintage at their sister winery “Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu” in Navarra under the guidance of Juan Carlos López de La Calle and Jean- Francois Gadeau and left for Spain on the day of his commendation ceremony.

Seeing the potential of the young and evolving English wine industry he relocated to south England in 2006 performing two vintages as winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex and created an award winning still wines for the Gusbourne Estate in Kent.

Striving to always expand his winemaking horizon he decided to work in California’s Napa Valley for the 2008 Vintage at “Cain Vineyards and Winery”, a Boutique Winery producing ultra- premium Bordeaux Style Wines. Impressed by his winemaking skills he was kept on by Winemaker Chris Howell and associate winemaker Francois Bugue.

Ulrichʼs Californian connection opened him doors to spend the 2009 vintage as assistant winemaker in France with Stephen Carrier for Chateau de Fieuzal and affiliated Chateau Haut- Gardére in Léognan south of Bordeaux, crafting Grand Cru Classé Wines.

He speaks fluent English and German and has good communication skills in Spanish and French. Ulrich resides in Hove concentrating on his winemaking consultancy business building up his portfolio in the UK as well as Italy, Spain and the Lebanon.

Ulrich is a Panel-Chair at the International Wine Challenge, the most influential wine competition in the world.