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Destinations · Europe · germany · Rheingau · Things to do ·

Schloss Johannisberg
Schloss Johannisberg is a legend in the Rhine Valley (Rheingau). Its wine's history stretches back more than 1200 years into the past. At one time it was home to a Benedictine monastery, but in 1715 the land was bought by the Prince-Abbot of Fulda, who built a three-storey palace where the monastery once stood. In 1720, he had 294 000 Riesling grapevines planted in the surrounding territory, making his winery the first to grow only Riesling grapes.

It was due to a curious stroke of luck that the so-called late harvest wine or Spätlese developed right there. In 1775, a messenger was two weeks late in bringing the papers that granted the cellar master permission to start harvesting the grapes. When the messenger finally arrived at the palace, the vineyards had already been affected by the "noble rot" Botrytis cinerea. Nevertheless, the winemaker had the grapes gathered and Spätlese, a high-quality wine with an increased level of sugar, was born. It later became a feature wine of the estate. A monument to the legendary messenger still stands next to the winery, while the Bibliotheca subterranea in the heart of the wine cellar has practically gained the status of a sacred site, with wines that are hundreds of years old being stored there. The oldest is a 1748 Riesling. The winery has received countless awards, among them Wine and Spirits magazine's "International Winery of the Year" title in 2009 and 2010, and four grape bunches (of a possible five) in the 2012 edition of the prestigious Gault & Millau wine guide.

65366 Geisenheim

Schloss Vollrads
First mentioned in writing in the year 1211, Vollrads Palace (Schloss Vollrads) celebrated its 800th anniversary last year. Surrounded by vineyards, its majestic tower is noticeable from a great distance, with the landscape reminding one of a romantic tale. Legend has it that Goethe visited the palace in 1814. Having drunk a few mouthfuls of fine Riesling, he described the castle's stone tower, which had been built on some Roman ruins, as "unusual". The property once belonged to Baron von Greiffenclau and his descendants, but is currently under the control of a bank. The castle's last aristocratic owner, Erwein Graf Matuschka-Greiffenclau, committed suicide in 1997, the day after the bank commenced bankruptcy proceedings against him.

Only Riesling grapes are grown at Schloss Vollrads and the winery has chosen to highlight the complexity of their character, as well as the authenticity of the place where they are grown. Elegant wine with a distinctly mineral taste arising from the loess-loam, gravel and quartz-filled soil is a characteristic of Schloss Vollrads. Ninety per cent of the grapes are picked by hand. Glass corks have been used in bottles at Schloss Vollrads since 2003, helping to save oak forests from felling and the wine from a possible cork taste. There is also a great gourmet restaurant on the property, with an outdoor terrace in a verdant garden. Schloss Vollrads has received countless awards from the wine world, such as 93/100 points from Wine Spectator for its 2010 Schloss Vollrads Riesling Spätlese.

Vollradser Allee, north of Winkel, Oestrich-Winkel, 65375

Joseph Leitz
Although this winery has been owned by one family since 1744, it has experienced many highs and lows. However, since being run by is current owner, Johannes Leitz, it has experienced a continual rise. The winery specializes in only Riesling grapes. The best dry wines mature in oak barrels, whereas the fruitiest are held in stainless steel cisterns. The wine's character is embodied in Rüdesheim's unique terroir - this terrain is special for the fact that all of the vineyards face south. The hill slopes are steep, ensuring good drainage, and are ideal for full-bodied mineral-rich wines.

Theodor-Heuss-Straße 5
D-65385 Rüdesheim am Rhein

Barth
Compared to the Rheingau classics, Barth is a new winery. It was founded only in 1948, with the current owner taking over in 1987. Its location is a sunny, wind-protected, Rhine hillside. Barth produces 80 000 bottles of wine per year, and these are a permanent treasure in wine lists at expensive restaurants in Germany. The winery is known not only for its Riesling, but also for its sparkling wines.

Bergweg 20, 65347 Hattenheim

Peter Jacob Kuhn
The Peter Jakob Kühn winery was established in 1786, with the eleventh generation of the family running it today. Its vineyards, which are located in the Oestrich, Lenchen and Doosberg districts, are considered to be some of the most outstanding in the Rhine Valley. The Riesling (90%) and Pinot Noir vines at the winery are grown organically. Peter Jakob Kühn is also considered to be one of the region's most innovative wineries. For example, when its 1999 vintage was ruined by bad quality corks, it joined many of its other brave colleagues and began to make metal screw tops for even its most expensive wines.

Mühlstraße 70, 65375 Oestrich

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