Jas Swan - Katla Wines: Germany's Bold & Intuitive Winemaker

Jas Swan, the innovative force behind Katla Wines, is a self-taught natural winemaker who has rapidly made her mark on the German wine scene. Hailing from Mönchengladbach, Germany, Jas's path to winemaking was unconventional, beginning with a sommelier career in Edinburgh and Iceland, including a stint at Michelin-starred Dill. This diverse background, coupled with impactful internships with natural wine luminaries like Gilles Azzoni, fueled her decision to forge her own path. In 2019, she established Katla Wines, initially operating from a corner cellar at Staffelter Hof in the Mosel, and more recently setting up a dedicated cellar in Wöllstein, Rheinhessen.

Katla Wines operates as a "micro négoce" project, with Jas sourcing meticulously farmed, organic grapes from trusted growers across the Mosel, Nahe, and Rheinhessen regions. While she has a tiny 0.3-hectare parcel of her own Riesling in the Mosel, her philosophy revolves around working closely with her vineyard partners, often managing the plots herself and hand-harvesting all the fruit. This dedication to vineyard health is paramount, reflecting her belief that "sustainability starts in the vineyard." She also champions "Piwis" (fungi-resistant hybrid grapes), viewing them as the future of organic winemaking in the face of climate change.

In the cellar, Jas Swan's approach is defined by intuition and a strict adherence to minimal intervention. She favors manual processes like a wooden basket press and avoids any additions or removals, including sulfur dioxide. Her winemaking is known for its experimental spirit, from varying degrees of skin contact on whites (creating captivating orange wines) to aging wines in barrels exposed to the elements. She often blends varieties and even regions to craft idiosyncratic, vivid wines that challenge traditional styles. Her creative vision extends to her labels, which often feature joyful drag queens or stark Icelandic landscapes, reflecting her advocacy for drag and trans rights and her connection to Iceland.

Jas Swan's Katla Wines are celebrated for their raw energy, distinctive personality, and a refreshing departure from convention, offering a glimpse into the exciting future of German natural wine.