Bastian Wolber
Bastian Wolber is a rising star in the world of natural wine, crafting energetic, soulful wines that blur the borders between Burgundy, Baden, Alsace, and beyond. Born in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany, Bastian’s early education at the Rudolf Steiner schools nurtured his creativity and confidence—skills that would later define his winemaking style.
After a brief foray into Economics and German Tax Law, Bastian felt the pull of nature and craftsmanship, inspired by his brother Christoph Wolber, co-founder of Wasenhaus Winery in Baden. Frequent visits to Burgundy, including a transformative tasting of Ganevat’s wines at La Dilettante in Beaune, set Bastian on a path toward natural winemaking.
From Apprentice to Independent Winemaker
Starting his hands-on journey in 2013 at Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, Bastian gained valuable experience working harvests with respected growers like Rudolf Trossen in the Mosel and Jean-Marc Dreyer in Alsace. In 2019, while apprenticing at Jean-François Ganevat, a skateboarding accident led to an unexpected turning point: unable to work in the cellar, Bastian launched his own négociant project, Laisse Tomber—a playful nod to both his fall and his philosophy of letting go.
His first wines, crafted from organically-farmed grapes sourced from trusted friends in France and Germany, quickly gained attention. From Spätburgunder in Baden to Mondeuse in Haute-Savoie and field blends from Alsace, his wines defy traditional appellation boundaries while staying true to natural winemaking methods: native fermentations, no fining or filtration, and minimal sulfur only at bottling.
Winemaking Philosophy: Fresh, Lively, Unbound
Bastian Wolber’s wines are designed to be "the bottles you open at the start of the night"—bright, lifted, and energizing. His 2019 reds underwent whole-cluster carbonic maceration in small wooden vats, with no punchdowns or pump-overs, resulting in juicy, vibrant profiles. His Laisse Tomber Blanc 2019 is a field blend of Alsatian varieties like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, and Muscat, fermented naturally with zero sulfur in homage to his mentor Jean-Marc Dreyer.
A New Chapter in Burgundy
Today, Bastian splits his time between working with the iconic Jean-Yves Bizot in Vosne-Romanée and expanding his own project. In 2020, he began farming a small parcel of Pinot Noir in the Côte Chalonnaise and additional vineyards in Baden. He makes his wines in Auxey-Duresses, sharing a cellar with fellow natural wine talents: Chris Santini (Santini Frères), Jonathan Purcell (Vin Noé), and Morgane Seuillot & Christian Knott (Domaine Dandelion).
Though production remains ultra-limited and highly allocated, each vintage brings new excitement as Bastian continues to challenge conventions and redefine what German and Burgundian wine can be.
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Vins et Millésimes (France): This French online retailer lists various Bastian Wolber wines, including his Bourgogne and Vin de France cuvées, and states they offer international shipping.
https://www.vinsetmillesimes.com/en/bastian-wolber/108291-bastian-wolber-bourgogne-laisse-tomber-2023.html(Check for other Bastian Wolber wines on their site)
Marée Haute Vins Naturels (France): A prominent French online retailer dedicated to natural wines. They regularly feature Bastian Wolber, including various Bourgogne and Gamay cuvées. They ship within France and to many other EU countries.
SipWines Shop (UK): A curated online shop for natural wines, often stocking Bastian Wolber's Burgundy and other "Laisse Tomber" wines. They ship within the UK and to some European countries (check their detailed shipping info on their site for specific EU countries).
OFF GRID (Germany): A German natural wine shop that carries Bastian Wolber. They offer shipping within Germany and to most EU countries. Note their allocation policy (often 1 bottle per customer, and requires buying other wines).
Thatcher's Wine (USA - California): A well-known US natural wine retailer with locations in California, they frequently have Bastian Wolber's "Laisse Tomber" wines in stock, including his Gamay and various Burgundian cuvées. They ship within the US.
Leon & Son Wine and Spirits (USA - New York): A highly regarded natural wine shop in Brooklyn, NY. They consistently carry Bastian Wolber's wines and ship to many US states.
Grape Witches (Canada): A popular natural wine retailer in Canada (Ontario), they often secure allocations of Bastian Wolber's wines. They ship within Ontario.
Newcomer Wines (UK - Importer/Wholesale): While primarily a wholesale importer for the UK trade, their website provides excellent background on Bastian Wolber and you can inquire about retail partners they supply.
Becky Wasserman & Co. (USA - Importer): A highly influential US importer of Burgundy wines, including a selection from Bastian Wolber. Their website details his process and portfolio, and you can inquire about retailers they distribute to in your area.
Galli Enoteca (Italy): An Italian wine shop that lists Bastian Wolber as a brand they carry. They likely ship within Italy and potentially to other EU countries.
Vivino (International - Lists availability from various merchants): A good resource for discovering specific Bastian Wolber wines and where they are currently listed for sale by various online and brick-and-mortar retailers globally.