Domein Holset was founded in 2008 by Erik Leferink and Marianne Blijdesteijn and is located in the village of Holset, in the South Limburg Heuvelland region. The estate covers 12 hectares, most of which is planted with vineyards. Its situation and landscape form an essential foundation for their wines’ style and qualities. Once planted, patience was required: it took several years before the grapes could be harvested for the first time, a necessity in order to develop their qualities and character.
Location and terroir
Distributed across Holset, Voerendaal, and Klimmen, they make use of their ideal areas. This means they are not concentrated in a single region. Historically, Limburg is not considered a wine region like Reims or Burgundy, yet it does share some similarities. The vineyards are planted on soils with a loess-rich top layer, containing flint, gravel, and limestone. This composition contributes to the freshness, minerality, and structure of the wines.
They are made from Souvignier Gris, Cabernet Blanc, Johanniter, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. These grapes thrive in the Dutch climate and are ideal for producing high-quality sparkling wines. The trend is towards climate-resistant grapes without any loss of quality.
Technique
They specialise in sparkling wines made using the traditional method, involving a second fermentation in the bottle. This fermentation is followed by a long maturation period of 24 to 30 months on the lees, which is exceptional in the Netherlands and contributes to refinement, complexity and a delicate mousse.
The vinification process uses a variety of materials to create balance and depth. Stainless steel provides freshness and clarity, while French and Burgundy oak add extra complexity and structure. The use of ceramics enhances the purity and texture of the wine and allows the character of the grape and its origin to be clearly expressed.
Wines are finished with a very low dosage, ranging from no addition (Brut Nature) to a maximum of 6 grams. This allows the emphasis to be placed on purity, tension, and terroir expression, with fresh, elegant acidity and no emphasis on residual sweetness.
Distinctive style
Domein Holset is renowned for its elegant, crisp sparkling wines with a refined mousse and lively freshness. The style is characterized by fresh acidity, citrus and fruit notes, floral nuances, and subtle maturation aromas such as brioche and nuts.
Why we choose Domein Holset
Domein Holset distinguishes itself by focusing entirely on sparkling wines, skilfully produced in our own countryside. The wines demonstrate the quality and potential of Limburg’s soil and underline the promising prospects for high-quality sparkling wine from our region.
