Günther Steinmetz - 7/28/1940 - 9/15/2012

Late night at Chez Steinmetz 8/30/12

I was very lucky to get a chance to know Günther Steinmetz, who passed away at his home in Brauneberg, Germany on 9/15/2012. He was the only person in my life who did not understand English at all. I did not understand German at all, either, but that never stopped Günther and I from sharing a laugh and conversation. Many laughs actually. Just recently (late August) I was out with Stefan and Günther at a friend's winery in neighboring Muhlheim and Günther would lean over and talk emphatically to me in German and I would respond emphatically in English. I asked Stefan what was going on and would Gunther or I need to be translated and Stefan just says, "No, not at all, this is what my father does to non-German speakers." I laughed and thought to myself, I have known Günther since 2007 and we haven't understood each other at all, but that did not stop either me or him from talking to each other. There was something beyond language that we shared. A love of Stefan, a love of Brauneberg, a love of wine and more importantly a love of life. It did not matter what language we spoke. Not one bit.

2010

Günther was always incredibly supportive of Stefan as he took over the family business and seemed to be always there, around every corner in his overalls and vineyard boots. Stefan always turned to his father for advice and kept on with the great traditions his father taught him in the vineyard and the winery. The man was an ocean of information about the Mosel and that has been carried on by Stefan. Günther never wanted to miss anything. He seemed to never sleep, at least when I was visiting. Drinking and laughing with Stefan and others, Günther would be sitting there with us, drinking wine, laughing, speaking to me in German and just always hanging tough. Three-four AM and he would still be sitting with us, just chilling. That is perhaps my lasting memory of Günther. Just always relaxing and wanting to be with his son and his friends, sitting around a table, drinking wine, hanging out. The other memory is the absolute joy that Sophia, his newly born 1 year old granddaughter gave him. I never saw him smile more than when we was playing with her. She brought him so much joy and it warms my heart that they got to spend so much time together towards the end of his life.

2010

Günther, you have done well, lived a long, illustrious and productive life and have left behind a lovely wife (and amazing cook!), Edith, an amazing son, Stefan, who will carry on the Steinmetz name and bring it to new heights, a sweet and very smart daughter in law, Sammie and of course the apple in your eye, Sophia.

I will miss you tremendously as will everyone who loved you, but the Steinmetz name is in extremely capable hands. RIP Günther Steinmetz.