Mr. Ludwig Balz


His life, His cellar, His passion


The entire collection totals 1964 bottles of which the composite oechsle degrees is in excess of 50,000! It is a statistical number that boggles the mind. As Agi Ress said to me when he was initially offered the collection, “TBAs ohne ende” (TBAs without end!). It took nearly 40 years to put it together, and I dare say, even such notable German collectors as Hardy Rodenstock have not seen such an unbelievable array of the world’s rarest wine in one place. This is an absolutely unprecedented opportunity for our clients and friends to experience such rare treasures that, in most cases, are no longer available from the original estates! Suffice to say, we will certainly never see such a cellar full of Trockenbeerenauslese wines in our lifetime…


Herr Balz writes:


On January 15, 1930, I, Ludwig Balz, came into this world as the second oldest of four sons in Oppenheim on the Rhein [Rheinhessen region]. After school and training, I first worked in my father’s stamp and sign business in the old part of town.


In 1951, I married my wife, Hildegard, from Ingelheim [also on the Rhein, across the river from Oestrich]. From this marriage came three children: Hans-Jürgen, Heidemarie, and Ingrid. In 1954, I started my own business; nowadays called “Ludwig Balz Stamps and Signs Company” in Mainz, which is still run successfully by my son.


As a 40-year-old entrepreneur in 1970, I began to have interest in the growth and production of fine quality wines. My special interest went towards Beeren and Trockenbeerenauslese. By intensive reading of specialized wine books and literature, I began to gather more and more knowledge about German wine production and its history. I am of the opinion that the best wine in the world comes from Germany.


I cultivated many very good contacts with the cellar masters of the various wine-producing regions. The Rheingau is especially renowned for its first class vineyards. Why collect wine rather than drink it? It sounds crazy, but it is precisely the collecting that has so much magical appeal for me. My passion for collecting created, apart from incomprehension, admiration and curiosity. The visits to numerous auctions gave the media an opportunity to take interest in me. Through articles about me in the press and on television, I became known outside my region for my extraordinary collection of rarities. This filled me with pride.


It is very important to mention that collecting is not the only important thing. The proper cellaring of these expensive treasures is of enormous importance. In the beginning, I stored the wine in refrigerated compartments in various locations. In 1985, we built a country house in the nearby idyllic Rheinhessen town of Harxheim. A large wine cellar with the essential constant climate control took care of the proper storage of the wines at all times.


Dear Dade, I see in you a worthy and competent successor for this truly special wine collection. I hope it gives you, as well as many other connoisseurs of good wines, much pleasure and fills you with the same pride as it does me. At this time, I would also like to give special thanks to my family, who with much understanding, great patience and strong nerves made this passionate collection possible.


Friendly greetings from Germany,


Ludwig Balz