iL‒INSIDE
July 22, 2024
A Day in the World
of Sausenheim
The summer company outing led our InnovationLab team to Sausenheim in the Palatinate, a district of Grünstadt. The weather gods were favorable to the day-trippers from Heidelberg. Amidst a mix of sun and clouds and pleasant temperatures, the diverse, team-building program was successfully completed on the northern foothills of the Haardt.
The main focus was on wine – as it could hardly be otherwise in a landscape shaped by vineyards, with a view of the castle village of Neuleinigen in the background. Sausenheim (Suso's Home), first mentioned in the Lorsch Codex in 772, is situated along the 85-kilometer German Wine Route, which begins in the south at Schweigen-Rechtenbach and ends in the north at Bockenheim in the Alzey Hills.
Stabilization Exercises and Breathing Techniques
However, effort preceded the reward. In the garden of individual trainer and autodidact Salvatore 'Salva' Attilo, a former top weightlifter for AC 1892 Mutterstadt and long-standing coach, the iL team completed several body-stabilizing units and breathing technique exercises under Salva's relaxed guidance. Following the successful 'surprise,' the vineyard hike through the Großlage Höllenpfad began.
Morning Surprise Program: Individual coach Salvatore 'Salva' Attilo (center) leads the iL team through exercises that refresh body and mind. Image: InnovationLab
Winemaker with heart and soul
Ilona Kohl from the local Fritz Kohl winery took the helm. At three distinct stations, guests sampled sparkling Secco, "GoldmuskatellER," Riesling, and Rosé, amidst a picturesque setting of walnut trees, fields, and vine rows. Ilona not only showcased profound expertise in the nuances of viticulture and grape cultivation but also revealed herself to be a vintner with unwavering passion. Her informative, warm, humorous, and approachable demeanor enhanced the experience, as the journey through rolling hills, along country paths, and past the "Fuchshöhle" (Fox's Den) – a local landmark featuring cliff remnants from a primeval sea – provided a wealth of memorable impressions.
Completely in her element: Ilona Kohl elucidates the critical importance of expertly performed leaf trimming for grape development. Image: InnovationLab
Station five in the cellar of Fritz Kohl winery
To culminate the day, Fritz Kohl Winery, a multi-generational family enterprise, served as the fifth station, following a traditional repast of Palatinate sausage and cheese. Amidst colossal stainless steel and French oak barrels, the diverse selection of wines from Ilona and Markus Kohl, who expertly manage this authentic, direct-selling family winery, proved particularly delightful, whether it was Pinot Gris, Merlot, or Cabernet Cubin, the latter distinguished by subtle tannins and delicate woody undertones.
In summary: It was a team-building, convivial, enjoyable, and thoroughly entertaining iL company outing. Sausenheim's loess and limestone-weathered soils not only offer an exceptional terroir for multifaceted wines but also cultivate a harmonious balance between outdoor activity, gourmet tasting, and a strong sense of community.
The iL team thoroughly enjoyed their day in the Sausenheim world of Salva, Ilona, and Markus! Our sincere thanks go out to the Palatinate region.
Favorite Spot: From the northern foothills of the Haardt, the panoramic view stretches across the entire Rhine plain, encompassing Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and extending to Karlsruhe and the Northern Black Forest. Image: InnovationLab
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
This website is not part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Furthermore, this website is not supported by Facebook in any way. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. We use Google remarketing pixels/cookies on this website to communicate with visitors to our website again and ensure that we can reach them with relevant news and information in the future. Google places our ads on third-party websites on the internet to communicate our message and reach the right people who have shown interest in our information in the past.