Our winery is located in the Nahe region, in Langenlonsheim, a wine village at the foot of the Hunsrück. Until the 1950s, our winery was an agricultural mixed farm, like almost all wineries at that time. In the old days we had ten cows, pigs and poultry. Horses helped in the vineyard. Today we have two dogs and a couple of chickens, which belong to the family. We have also had bees for a few years now. And then, of course, wine, which brought some cash in. Modernizations were carried out through the sale of wine. I am often asked how the name “Bürgermeister” (mayor) comes into our company name. Well, it was like this: my grandfather Willi Schweinhardt was Mayor of Langenlonsheim from 1946 to 1969. At that time, Langenlonsheim did not yet have a town hall and its office was opposite our HEINRICHs B&B breakfast room today. After more than 20 years as mayor, no one greeted him saying “Good morning Mr. Schweinhardt”, but “Good morning Mr. Bürgermeister”. This is how the mayor Schweinhardt winery came to be, which is anchored in the commercial register. Transparency for our customers is very important to us. We are committed to nature conservation so that future generations can live healthy lives in harmony with nature. Environment, Agriculture, Food, Viticulture and Forestry, distinguished us in 2014 on behalf of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate as a “partner company for nature conservation”. We do not use pesticides or insecticides for our viticulture. This means that rare plants and animals, such as smooth snakes, orchids and rare butterflies, like for example Aricia agestis can once again be at home in our vineyards. We love diversity of species in our vineyards: we have wild bees, as well as a variety of bird nesting boxes. Additionally, we have created two Beetle banks. We have also changed the packaging to more stable and beautiful wine boxes that can be reused. About the Beetle banks: We started this young project in 2018 together with the FH (Fachhochschule) Bingen. We want insects to feel more at home in our fields. Why? So that biodiversity forms and good wintering conditions prevail. Therefore we created our first 160 meter long Beetle bank in 2018 (it is also known as a beetle wall). With success: we see & hear significantly more pheasants, partridges, lapwings and other ground breeders. The second system of a 160-meter long Beetle bank followed in 2019. Anyone who wants to join can gladly take an active part in the third. Thanks to the nature-friendly cultivation of the vineyards, rare plants and animals, such as snake snakes, orchids and rare butterflies, like Aricia agestis can once again be at home. Our vineyards are not irrigated. We are dependent on nature. Due to green manuring and humus formation, we have a water-efficient process so water can be better retained in the soil. “Waste” - that is, the pressing residues of the grapes in our winery are returned to nature through composting. We are also like a family for our team: We take care of each other and in addition to family-friendly working hours, this also includes payment well above the minimum wage. We are proud of that. Our philosophy isn’t “higher-faster-further” it is “healthy-sustainable-and-happy-together”.