In Eichstetten im Kaiserstuhl, one of the most renowned wine regions of Germany, is the Köbelin Winery. Here, the soil not only gives character to the wine, but also becomes a protagonist of the architecture.
The tasting and sales room surprises with a five-metre-high rammed-earth wall, enriched with loess and soil from the vineyards themselves. This gesture connects the landscape directly with the sensory experience of the tasting, enveloping the visitor in an atmosphere of authenticity and closeness to nature.
The secret of Arndt Köbelin’s wines lies in the loess soil, with thicknesses of up to 50 metres, rich in lime and minerals. This natural base gives freshness, body and complexity to varieties such as Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder and Pinot Noir.
The rammed-earth wall is a tribute to that origin: its visible strata recall the geological layers and reinforce the identity of the place. It also acts as a heat accumulator, providing thermal comfort in the room thanks to the integrated fireplace.
The new winery responds to the same philosophy as its wines: purity and authenticity. From arrival, the visitor walks through the family vineyards before entering the building, conceived as an inseparable part of the cultural landscape of the Kaiserstuhl.
The materials from the vineyard itself are also integrated into furniture and fittings, reinforcing the coherence between surroundings, product and space. On the rooftop, accessible from the rammed-earth wall, you can enjoy a unique panorama of this wine landscape.
The main wall was built with ClayTec rammed earth mixed with soil from the vineyards, creating a finish full of meaning. This technique, known as Soil Treasure, takes advantage of the qualities of loam and makes it possible to raise monolithic walls with a unique artisan expressiveness.
Added to this is the use of YOSIMA Clay Design Coating, applied in interior details that provide fine, homogeneous and warm surfaces. The combination of the roughness of the rammed earth with the elegance of YOSIMA enriches the spatial experience and reinforces the uniqueness of the project.
The rammed-earth wall is not a mere aesthetic device, but a true bridge between the landscape and the building. By incorporating soil from the vineyards themselves, the architecture becomes a physical reflection of the terroir that gives rise to the wine, making the tasting experience begin already in the walls that surround the visitor.
Thanks to the mass of the rammed earth, the spaces maintain a stable temperature throughout day and night. This passive behaviour reduces the need for mechanical climate control, generating energy efficiency and a more natural environment. The integrated fireplace reinforces this quality, allowing heat to be stored in the wall and released slowly.
The contrast between the rough, expressive character of the rammed earth and the homogeneous smoothness of the YOSIMA coatings creates a unique visual and tactile richness. This duality perfectly reflects the spirit of the winery: wines with strength and personality, but also with elegance and precision.
The earth, worked layer by layer, and the natural finishes convey a sense of honesty that connects with the winemaking tradition. At the same time, the air quality, the warmth of the surfaces and the balanced acoustics create a welcoming environment, designed so that the visitor feels at home while exploring the richness of the Köbelin wines.
Architecture: Modern solid construction (new build)
Use: Winery
Architect: Thomas Martin
Craftsmen: Glück GbR Lehmbau
ClayTec materials: Rammed earth, YOSIMA clay design coating, fine surfaces
Location: Altweg 131, 79356 Eichstetten am Kaiserstuhl, Germany
The Köbelin Winery proves that the earth not only nourishes the vines, but also shapes spaces where enjoying wine becomes an architectural and sensory experience.
At RedVerde, together with ClayTec, we work to bring bioconstruction closer to projects that unite tradition, landscape and contemporary design.
