Impressive Tasting at Weingut Kuenstler in Hochheim with Gunter Kuenstler, Owner and Winemaker - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours

Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller took place  from June 28 to July 9, 2026. The tour started in Frankfurt and ended in Frankfurt.

Following a day in Franken, we spent two and a half days in the Rheingau wine region, by many considered the jewel in the crown because of its legendary aristocratic history of world-famous wine estates. 

Rheingau

The Rheingau is a fairly small wine region with about 8,000 acres of vineyards. The Rhein river originates in Switzerland and flows north where it empties into the North Sea in the Netherlands. The Taunus mountains force the Rhein river to make a sudden turn. Near Wiesbaden the Rhein turns west at a right angle and continues flowing east to west for about 19 miles before it turns north again. The Rheingau is the narrow strip on the south-facing slope of the Taunus along the Rhein river. We are here at 50° north of latitude but the huge body of water and the protective Taunus hills make the Rheingau perfect for grape growing. It is a predominantly Riesling region with a historic pocket of perfect terroir on the steep south-facing slopes around Assmannshausen for producing stunning Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). 

Weingut Künstler (VDP) in Hochheim, Rheingau 

The Künstler family has been producing wine since 1648. The father of Gunter Künstler, proprietor of Weingut Künstler, Franz Künstler, was born in 1926 in Unter Tannowitz. At the tender age of 13, he was forced to take charge of the family estate while his father was serving in in the Second Word War. After the war, the region around their home town became a part of the Czech Republic and the Künstlers became refugees in what was then West-Germany. Not able to return to their century old family home, the family eventually settled in Hochheim, starting from scratch. 

I remember very well the small row house in Hochheim that was the initial home of the Kuenstler winery. Franz’ son Gunter Künstler bottled his first vintage in 1982 at the age of just 19. He officially took over the business from his father in 1992, and was admitted to the Rheingau VDP just two years later. In 2006, the winery moved to the former Burgeff sparkling wine cellars on the outskirts of Hochheim. The winery grew and now belongs to the top estates in Germany; 75% of its 75 acres are classified as first growths. 

The village of Hochheim is the gateway to the Rheingau region and actually sits on the banks of the Main river, which joins the Rhein river only a few miles downstream. The terroir in Hochheim differs distinctively from the rest of the Rheingau. This eastern spur of the region— extending towards Frankfurt—is characterized much more by limestone than the loessloam and slate sites typical of the central Rheingau. The limestone lends the wines a wonderful creaminess and a melting quality, greater textural harmony, and that extra touch of roundness compared to the steelier wines grown on loess and slate. Gunter Künstler has all but perfected this style over the past few decades. Thomas Jefferson was very fond of the Hochheim wines and brought back vines from Hochheim which he planted in Monticello.

At Weingut Kuenstler, Gunter Kuenstler led us through a most impressive tasting of 15 different wines. 

 

Arriving

Welcome

 

Tasting

 

 

Thank You

 

Bye-bye

 

Summary: Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

 

See: 

Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours (June 28 to July 8, Summary)

 

 

Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours: Released and Forthcoming Postings

Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours (June 28 to July 8, Summary)

Meet and Greet Dinner at Apple Wine Tavern Mainlust Desche Otto in Frankfurt/ Schwanheim, with 4-course Wine-pairing Menu - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rudolf Fürst (VDP) with Sebastian Fuerst (Winemaker of the Year 2026, Feinschmecker) - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours    

Lunch at the 250-year Old Gasthaus "Zum Ochsen" in the Medieval Town of Wertheim - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Alte Grafschaft in Kreuzwertheim, Franken with Norbert Spielmann (Founder and Owner) and Julius Spielmann (Winemaker) - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Dinner at Restaurant Oberschweinstiege, a Traditional German Restaurant Tucked away in Frankfurt’s City Forest (Stadtwald) - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Kuenstler in Hochheim with Gunter Kuenstler, Owner and Winemaker - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Eberbach Abbey: Lunch, Tour of the Abbey, Tasting with Winemaker Katharina Puff, Tour of the Steinberg Vineyard and the Winery - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours   

Dinner at Allendorf am Rhein (Weingut Allendorf) - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tour and Tasting at Sekt Manufaktur Schloss Vaux with Florian Richter (Best German Sommelier, 2023 - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours )

 

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schloss Johannisberg (VDP) with Julia Wolf, Head of Sales - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

 

Lunch at Schloss Johannisberg with Chef Simon Kieslich - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

 

Tasting, including in the Color Room, at Weingut Fritz Allendorf – Georgshof (VDP) with Judith Rossberg - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

 

At Hotel Weingut F.B.Schönleber in Oestrich-Winkel - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours l 

Wine Tasting in the Vineyard at Weingut Laquai in Lorch, Rheingau, with Owner and Winemaker Gudolf  - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Lunch in a Castle: Zum Mundchenk auf Schoenburg - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Weingut Toni Jost (VDP) in Bacharach, Mittelrhein with Cecilia Jost, Owner and Winemake - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours r 

Cruise on the Rhein River, from Bacharach to Koblenz - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Heymann-Löwenstein (VDP), Winningen, Lower Mosel, with (new) Owner Thomas Doerr and (old) Winemaker Tim Roettgerding - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Guided Tour of Eltz Castle, a Truly Fairy-tale Medieval Castle - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

 

Dinner at Gaststaette Winzerschaenke in Walporzheim  - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Deutzerhof (VDP) in Mayschoß, Ahr, with Alexander Merk - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Jean Stodden (VDP) in Rech, Ahr, with Alexander Stodden, Owner and Winemaker, and Anna Stodden, Winemaker - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting (from Barrel and Bottle) at Weingut Kloster Marienthal - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

 

3-course Dinner at Bogsitter Gasthaus Weinkirche of  Hotel Villa Sanct Peter in Walporzheim - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Selbach-Oster in Zeltingen, Middle Mosel, with Sebastian Selbach, Winemaker, and Johannes Selbach, Owner and Winemaker - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Lunch at Panorama Hotel and Restaurant in Kroev, with Owner Lotios Aslanidis - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Staffelter Hof in Kröv, with Jan Matthias Klein, Owner and Winemaker, and with Gerd and Gundi Klein (Previous Generation) - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Dinner at Alter Moselbahnhof in Bernkastel-Kues - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Weingut Fritz Haag (VDP) in Brauneberg, Mosel, with Markus Schulte - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Lunch at Hotel/ Restaurant Weisser Baer - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Stop at the Mosel Loup between Leiwen and Trittenheim - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof (VDP) in Leiwen, Mosel, with Anna Courad - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

An Evening (and Dinner) in Bernkaste-Kues - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Late Evening German Wine Class in the Rooftop Lounge - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Domaines Vinsmoselle in Wormeldange, Luxembourg - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Lunch at Bistro Quai (Gault et Millaut Recommended) in Grevenmacher, Luxembourg - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Weingut Schloss Saarstein, Saar, with Christian Ebert, Owner and Winemake - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Dinner at DIAN Restaurant in Hotel Deinhard's: Asian Food and German Wine Pairing - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Tasting at Schlossgut Diel (VDP) in Rümmelsheim, Nahe with Sylvain and Caroline Diel - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Prinz Salm in Wallhausen, Nahe (VDP) with Prinz Michael zu Salm-Salm - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours  

Lunch at Zollamt Restaurant in Bingen, Opposite of the Famous Ruedesheimer Berg - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours g 

Tasting at Weingut Braunewell in Essenheim, Rheinhessen - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours 

3-course Dinner at Michelin-starred Lohninger in Frankfurt - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours

Good-bye City Tour of Frankfurt by Tram - Germany Classic 2026 (Franken, Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen) by ombiasy WineTours