Summary
The Merk Wine Estate, situated between the Palatinate Forest and the Rhine in the outskirts of Ellerstadt in the Pfalz, is family-owned by Walter and Rita Merk and run by their sons Jochen and Gerrit. Certified organic since 1990, Walter Merk turned the entire vineyard into ecological/organic production and the winery is a member of the German Association of organic products named BIOLAND. This association has established strict regulations of how to cultivate the vineyards and raise the vines. Unused fallow land is not kept bare, but populated by flowers and greenery. Solar energy has been used for years for electricity and hot water production.