Following our first stop on the Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours (July 1 to 10, 2022) at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, in the far northwestern corner of the Rheinhessen wine region, we visited another Riesling Giant, Weingut Dönnhoff in Oberhausen, Nahe.
From Wagner-Stempel to Dönnhoff, it was a short trip of just 45 minutes, although we moved from the Rheinhessen region to the Nahe region.
We were received by Sascha Johannes Schömel, who was a Sommelier at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Amador in Mannheim and L.A.Jordan Ketschauer Hof in Deidesheim before he joined Weingut Dönnhoff in 2017.
Hellmuth Dönnhoff, the Grand Master of Riesling, was there for part of the tasting.
See also:
Top 10 Riesling Producers in the World – Snooth 2012
The wines of Weingut Dönnhoff are available in the USA through Skurnik Wines.
Weingut Dönnhoff
The Dönnhoff family has been making wines for more than 250 years, but a new era started when Helmut Dönnhoff began making wine in 1971.
He started out with a vineyard of 10 acres, and through careful acquisition he now cultivates 60 acres of the best vineyards in the Nahe valley.
Helmut Dönnhoff has become a living legend of German wine and is celebrated around the globe as one of Germany’s very best producers. His wines are from the world-famous Niederhausen and Schlossböckelheim vineyards as well as from lesser known vineyards in Norheim and Oberhausen. He is committed to making the most out of the terroir to attain the ultimate in quality.
I quote Helmut Dönnhoff: “We make wines that represent their origin, we do not make brands. And I do not need to come up with stories, it is the vineyard that tells me the stories. The majority of the grapes planted are Riesling, but Dönnhoff also produces outstanding Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. His wines are exceptionally racy, rich and minerally. They are very delicious when drunk young, however they also have long ageing potential.
Interview with Cornelius Dönnhoff (from VDP website)
VDP: What is so special about your winery?
Cornelius Dönnhoff:
We have been at home here in Oberhausen an der Nahe for more than 250
years, in the scenic valley between Niederhausen and Schloßböckelheim.
We are known worldwide for our elegant Rieslings, which reflect the
geological diversity of our region's soils in an exciting way. We are
very lucky to cultivate our Rieslings in some of the most famous
locations of the Nahe. We take up this challenge with joy, in
responsibility for nature and our homeland. With Niederhausen and
Oberhausen, Schloßböckelheim, Norheim as well as Roxheim and Bad
Kreuznach, our property diversifies widely and covers dozens of rock
types and soil characteristics which are reflected in our wines. With us
you have the whole white variety of the Nahe in one enterprise!
VDP: What is your winery philosophy?
Cornelius Dönnhoff:
We love our historical roots and are responsible for the vineyards on
the Middle Nahe, the senses of landscape and wine culture. In harmony
with and out of respect for nature.
VDP: What wine style do you strive for? Do you have a favourite grape variety?
Cornelius Dönnhoff: Riesling
is quite clear, with the focus here on very clear, complex, long-lived,
mineral and refined wines that reflect their origins. But we also take
the Burgundy varieties very seriously, which account for 20 percent of
the area under cultivation.
VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who does not yet know your winery - as an introduction, so to speak?
Cornelius Dönnhoff: Just a sip of Tonschiefer Riesling is enough to get to know and
understand our winery and our wines. This wine already has a clear
terroir connection. The fragile black-grey slate is perfect for
wonderfully elegant wines. A full-bodied, mineral wine with a fruit
aroma rich in finesse and a fine acidity play, mainly from the
VDP.GROSSEN LAGE® LEISTENBERG in Oberhausen. Drinks himself to every
occasion with a lot of pleasure!
VDP: Which wine are you particularly proud of?
Cornelius Dönnhoff: To
the VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHS® from the location HERMANNSHÖHLE in
Niederhausen. A wine from one of the most famous of all Nahe sites. A
pure southern exposure, 130 to 175 meters above sea level. The soils are
mostly black-grey slate, mixed with volcanic eruptive rock, porphyry
and limestone. Here grow grandiose wines, both dry and noble sweet
predicates, which with their complexity, strength, elegance and
storability have contributed much to the good reputation of German wines
worldwide. We won the German Riesling Cup four times with this
extraordinary wine.
VDP: What are your next goals?
Cornelius Dönnhoff: After the harvest is before the harvest, so the new vintage should always be your next goal.
VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?
Cornelius Dönnhoff:
The one does not exclude the other. The deep understanding for great
vineyards in extraordinary locations has shaped our family. The love for
the vines and the annual new dream of unmistakable wines have been
passed on over the generations. Of course, innovations also flow into
our business processes if they bring us a little closer to our goal.
VDP: Why should you still visit your winery?
Cornelius Dönnhoff:
If you ever want to escape the hustle and bustle, you are in good hands
with us. The region offers a variety of activities and culinary
delights, far away from everyday stress. After an enjoyable, informative
rehearsal in our winery, it is always worth taking a short trip to
Lemberg, from where you can see the most beautiful side of the Nahe
Valley. And some of our best locations such as the FELSENBERG in
Schlossböckelheim, the HERMANNSHÖHLE in Niederhausen or our monopoly
location BRÜCKE in Oberhausen can be explored and admired at a glance.
Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: All Postings (already posted and forthcoming)
The Sun-Kissed South: Germany’s Pinot Noir, the Other Whites, the Culinary Regions - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Daniel Wagner at Weingut Wagner-Stempel (VDP) in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by
ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen, with Winemaker Oliver Müller and Owner Cathrin Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Tasting with Helmut Dönnhoff and Sascha Johannes Schömel at Weingut H. Dönnhoff (VDP) in Oberhausen, Nahe - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany
Dinner in a Typical Old Town Mainz Wine Tavern: At Weinhaus Bluhm and at Weinhaus Schreiner - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany
Cellar
Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Owner/ Winemaker Gesine Roll at
Weingut Weedenborn Weedenborn in Monzenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany-South
and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Weingut Jülg (VDP): Lunch in the Wine Tavern with Karin and Werner Jülg and Tasting in the Vineyard with Johannes Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Sven Nieger at Weingut Sven Nieger
in Baden-Baden-Varnholt, Ortenau - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by
ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Owner/ Winemaker
Robert Schätzle at Weingut Schloss Neuweier (VDP) in
Baden-Baden-Neuweier, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy
WineTours
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner/ Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar
Tour and Tasting with Martin Bercher at Weingut Bercher (VDP) in
Burkheim, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy
WineTours
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Matthias
Höfflin and Kaylie Magestro at Weingut Höfflin in Bötzingen,
Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar
Tour and Tasting in the Courtyard with Joachim Heger and Winemaker
Markus Mleinek at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl,
Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
The World Class Wines of Alsace
In the world class white wine region Alsace
Cellar Tour with Pierre Gassmann and Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner
with Chef Laurine Gutleben and Restaurant Manager/ Husband Antoine
Bauer, both Owners, at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Veille Forge in
Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Tour and Tasting with Jean Pierre Dirler at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Frédéric Hugel at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Owners Catherine Faller and Eddy
Leiber-Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace - Germany-South
and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Visiting Colette Faller at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg in Alsace
Dinner with Chef de Cuisine
Jean-Michel Eblin at 1-star Michelin Restaurant Le Maximilien in
Zellenberg, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Adrien Schoenheitz at Vins Schoenheitz in Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch
at Restaurant 1-star Michelin Restaurant La Nouvelle Auberge in
Wihr-au-Val, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting with Rémy Gresser at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Vineyard
Tour and Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP),
Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Lunch at Restaurant 1832 at the Hambacher Schloss - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting
in the Courtyard and Cellar Tour with Frank John at Weingut Frank John
in Neustadt an der Weinstraße - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy
WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting with Andreas Rings at Weingut
Rings (VDP) in Freinsheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by
ombiasy WineTours
Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting
with Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and Riccardo Korner at Weingut Dr.
Bürklin-Wolf (VDP) in Wachenheim, Pfalz - Germany-South and Alsace 2022
by ombiasy WineTours
Impromptu Tasting at Weinbar & Vinothek Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf in Deidsheim, with Managing Director Steffen Brahner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Tasting with Anne and Matthias Gaul at Weingut Matthias Gaul in Grünstadt-Asselheim, Pfalz - - Germany-South and Alsace 2022 by ombiasy WineTours
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