Michael Schroth knows good taste: In just a few years, the Palatinate native transformed a few hundred vines into a highly respected winery with an international reputation. After his wines were featured in various gourmet catalogs, the young entrepreneur was able to open a new business building in 2016 that meets his high standards of style and quality. When Schroth's guests now enjoy the house's famous Burgundy wines with a view of the vineyards, the sun-warmed decking from NaturinForm creates the perfect atmosphere.

Silver-gray, he likes that color. It shines from the labels of his bottles and is reminiscent of the floor-to-ceiling steel barrels in which Schroth ages most of his wines here. And it suits the Eistal valley with its very special terroir, the mineral-rich, stony clay soils, where even red wine grapes thrive.

Schroth inherited the nucleus of his company and his passion for wine from his father. Schroth senior had purchased around two hectares of vines, a hobby in itself, the perfect playground for young Michael. Even as a teenager, Schroth knew he would one day make wine. In 2002, at just 24 years old, he completed his apprenticeship with a master's degree. Since then, he has increased his acreage eightfold. Schroth's success is built on his reputation: a tradition-conscious craftsman who knows how to do something special. In the heart of white wine country, he primarily produces red wine. And when it's Riesling, it suddenly surprises with apple, pear, or citrus notes.

Color-stable wood with patina effect

The beginning 15 years ago took place "with completely outdated equipment," as he says. Schroth likes tradition. But he also likes it when new, modern ideas emerge from it.

When Schroth, while working hard on the vineyards, dreamed of a new home for his handmade treasures, he imagined it as completely modern. Just like his winemaking: conscious of tradition yet cutting-edge and with that certain something. With an avenue of cypresses, cork oaks, and a large terrace where his visitors could sample Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Riesling, facing the gray-brown soil of the vineyard. He thought of a material that points to both the past and the future. And he thought again of silver. The silver-gray patina of sun-ripened wood.

"Ideally, the wood should have the right color right from the start—and keep it that way," says Schroth. "So that it matches the style of the house and our wines. Details are important to me."

As his plans became more concrete, his desire for stylistic reliability led him directly to NaturinForm. The Franconian company's innovative wood products are particularly weather-resistant: They retain their chosen color without the need for sanding or painting. Only the silvery and golden patina reflections appear due to sunlight during the first few months after construction.

Wood on the outside, more on the inside

The material owes its visual stability to a very special processing technique. Wood fibers are combined with a polymer that makes them water-repellent. Because the so-called weathering of wood is primarily a result of penetrating moisture, the result is a material with entirely new properties: This so-called wood composite is extremely dimensionally stable. It neither splinters during sawing nor afterward – barefoot walkers are safe from splinters. And it hardly develops lichen or moss in winter. The surface is self-cleaning; to clean a NaturinForm terrace, it is sufficient to occasionally spray the planks with water.

Wood processing with brains

The color particles are incorporated during the fusion process. They, too, benefit from the polymer's protective function. Because NaturinForm products, despite the technical refinement, are still 70 percent wood fiber, only experts can visually distinguish them from wood. The wood dominates the optical properties so clearly that the natural patina formation caused by sunlight is still possible. Only much more controlled than in pure wood. No blackish spots are created by moisture. Only the desired, pure silver and golden reflections. Tradition and innovation. Just like with Schroth's wine.

Shades to suit your taste

At NaturinForm, you can choose from a wide range of decking styles and dozens of colors, so there's something for every taste. Schroth's Eistal color is naturally also available: the color Gray in the Compact product line. It's an elegant gray-beige that blends particularly well with modern, Mediterranean- and Scandinavian-inspired ambiances.

Compact has one finely ribbed side and one block-striped side. With a length of up to 13 meters, a thickness of 26 millimeters, and a reversible surface with different ribs, it is particularly versatile. At the Schroth winery, the dream of a sundowner spot with a vineyard view came true in 2016 with an impressive 100 square meters. Light gray wooden floorboards and dark gray lounge chairs are almost more tempting than the fine wines with the silver label. "Since opening, the wine shop has been breaking visitor records," says Schroth. "At the end of the season in early October, we still set up beer tables all over the terrace, and many people still had to stand."

Relaxed – and sure-footed

Especially during busy times, especially when alcohol is involved, it's important for restaurateurs to ensure guests can move around safely. Compact is particularly recommended here, too: In a 2011 TÜV Rheinland test, the plank achieved the highest slip resistance rating – R12 according to DIN 51130 and Class C according to DIN 51097.