Anyone who thinks that the Netherlands cannot produce great wines has not yet tasted the wines of De Kleine Schorre. In the heart of Schouwen-Duiveland, surrounded by the waters of Zeeland, lies one of the most famous and successful vineyards in the Netherlands. Here, with great passion and craftsmanship, elegant white wines and sparkling wines are made that have now received international recognition.
De Kleine Schorre proves that the unique Zeeland terroir has everything it needs to produce wines of exceptional quality.
From pioneer's dream to Dutch icon
The story of De Kleine Schorre began in 2001, when initiators Adrie Smits, Kees van de Vrieand Hans van den Hoekbelieved that the Zeeland clay soils were perfectly suited for viticulture. What started as an ambitious experiment at the time grew into one of the leading wineries in the Netherlands.
From the first moment, the focus was not on large volumes, but on quality. By carefully selecting the right grape varieties and paying close attention to the vineyards, De Kleine Schorre developed into a fixture within the Dutch wine world.
An important milestone followed when the wines were selected for KLM World Business Class. This brought the Zeeland winery international fame and made it clear that Dutch wine can effortlessly compete with renowned wine countries.
The unique terroir of Zeeland
The location of De Kleine Schorre is perhaps its greatest strength. The vineyards are located on Schouwen-Duiveland, where the influence of the North Sea and the Oosterschelde creates a special microclimate.
The many hours of sunshine, the constant sea breeze and the chalky sea clay soils create ideal conditions for viticulture. During the day, the soil warms up, while the surrounding water gradually cools the temperature at night. As a result, the grapes ripen slowly and retain their fresh acids and refined aromas.
This combination yields wines with striking elegance, vibrant freshness and a characteristic mineral touch that is typical of the Zeeland landscape.
Grapes that perfectly suit the Netherlands
De Kleine Schorre deliberately chose grape varieties that thrive in the Dutch climate. Especially Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blancand Rivanerfeel at home on the Zeeland soil. In addition, the winery produces refined sparkling wines using the traditional method.
The white wines are characterized by fresh aromas of citrus, green apple, ripe pear and white stone fruit, combined with a subtle minerality and an elegant structure. They therefore perfectly complement Zeeland cuisine with shellfish, mussels, oysters and fresh fish.
Sustainable work with respect for nature
At De Kleine Schorre, everything revolves around quality and sustainability. The vineyards are maintained with great care, allowing nature to do its work as much as possible. Through low yields, manual labor and a precise selection of the grapes, a wine is created that reflects the character of the Zeeland terroir every vintage.
Every bottle tells the story of a winery that dared to believe in the possibilities of Dutch viticulture and thus became an example for many other Dutch winemakers.
Why choose De Kleine Schorre?
De Kleine Schorre shows that top quality is not dependent on ancient wine traditions or a warm Mediterranean climate. With passion, craftsmanship and respect for nature, this Zeeland winery makes wines that are fresh, elegant and surprisingly versatile.
At Wijnhuis Cave, we are proud to offer the wines of De Kleine Schorre. They show how special Dutch wine can be and are a wonderful calling card for Zeeland. Whether you choose a refined white wine or a festive sparkling wine, with De Kleine Schorre you taste the purity of the Zeeland coast in every sip.
View all wines from De Kleine Schorre here
