Peter Mertes founded his winery in 1924 with a deep passion for the wines of the Mosel region and a strong commitment to promoting their superior quality. Today, the Peter Mertes Family Vineyards span nearly 100 hectares, primarily situated on the steep slopes along the Mosel and Saar rivers. The vineyards include some of the most prestigious sites in the region, such as Zeltinger Himmelreich, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Nonnenberg, Graacher Himmelreich, Domprobst, Abtsberg, Bernkasteler Badstube, Johannisbrünnchen, Lay, Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg, Sommerauer Schlossberg, and Trierer Domherrenberg. These renowned locations are celebrated for their exceptional terroir and play a crucial role in the winery's dedication to producing high-quality regional wines.

The Mosel region, located in southwestern Germany, is one of the world's most renowned wine regions, particularly famous for its exquisite Riesling wines. The unique combination of geography, climate, and soil in the Mosel valley creates ideal conditions for viticulture, resulting in wines that are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and distinctiveness.

The Mosel River snakes its way through steep, terraced vineyards, which are among the most dramatic and challenging to cultivate in the world. The river moderates the climate, reflecting sunlight and retaining heat, which helps to ripen the grapes. The steep slopes allow for excellent drainage and maximum exposure to sunlight.

The soils of the Mosel are predominantly composed of slate, which plays a significant role in the character of the wines. The slate retains heat, which aids in grape ripening, and imparts a distinctive mineral quality to the wines. This minerality, combined with the natural acidity from the cool climate, results in wines that are vibrant and refreshing.

The climate in the Mosel region is cool, which is crucial for the slow ripening of grapes, allowing them to develop complex flavors while retaining high acidity. The combination of cool climate and long growing season is particularly beneficial for white grape varieties.

As Germany’s leading supplier of organic wines, Peter Mertes values the benefits of responsible agriculture and actively supports winegrowers who engage in organic farming practices. The company took a significant step in 1987 by converting a portion of its own vineyards to certified organic status. Peter Mertes is committed to maintaining its leadership in organic winegrowing and continues to prioritize environmental quality.

Peter Mertes has transitioned to using electrically powered, emissions-free forklifts, eliminating the need for diesel or gas. These eco-friendly forklifts are designed to automatically switch off all electrical components when not in use. Additionally, for transportation within the facility, the production staff utilizes regular bicycles, further emphasizing the company’s commitment to sustainability.

Peter Mertes utilizes the natural cooling effects of bored pile walls, where air circulation and the constant evaporation of water efficiently extract warmth from a space larger than 50,000 cubic meters.