Lunch and Impromptu Wine Tasting of the Wines of Weingut Madame Flöck, with Weingut Madame Flöck Owner/ Winemaker Robert Wade, Verbene Bistro Chef Tim Johnston, Restaurant Verbene Michelin starred Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours took place from August 28 – Friday, September 06, 2024. We spent 10 days visiting top wine estates in five wine regions, tasting fabulous Rieslings and Pinot Noir (aka Spätburgunder), meeting world-renowned wine makers, travelling through the world’smost beautiful wine regions, cruising on the romantic Rhein river, looking at dizzying steep vineyards along the Rhein and Mosel rivers, and delving deep into German history and culture: Rheinhessen • Rheingau • Mittelrhein • Mosel • Nahe

In Koblenz, following:

Tour of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, the Largest Historical Fortress in Europe after Gibraltar - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

we had lunch at Verbene Bistro, which is the sister restaurant of the Michelin-starred Restaurant Verbene in Koblenz. Our waiter was Robert Wade, who, as we soon found out, was American and also the co-owner of and winemaker at Weingut Madame Flöck, a small non-mainstream winery in Winningen, Mosel, which I had heard of but never tasted the wines. Waiter was a side job of Robert, to improve his German, he said. Of course, the wine choice was easy: We picked 2 Weingut Madame Flöck wines and enjoyed an impromptu tasting with owner/ winemaker Robert Wade.

We had an excellent 3-course menu prepared by Chef Tim Johnston, who, as we found out a couple of days later at Weingut Clemenz Busch, was the partner of Oda Borchert, our charming host there. 

Finally, we also had a chance to exchange a few words with Michelin starred Restaurant Verbene Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel. 

Who the Flock? 

Weingut Madame Flöck: Madame Flock Wines specializes in restoring by hand old forgotten steep as flock Terrassen Mosel vineyards. Founded by the American Robert Kane and Canadian Derek-Paul Labelle with a mission to sustainably craft crazy natural dry Red and White wines that are made as sustainably as these two unsustainable expats know how to. 

All Madame Flöck’s Mosel Germany vineyards are dry grown, herbicide free, and hand tended. This means no machinery ever touches our vineyards, no glyphosate messes with the natural biodiversity of our vineyards, and our hands are blistered, backs broken, and wits lost by the time we harvest. Notice the rather odd names of our Mosel Germany vineyards. 

All of Madame Flöck’s Mosel vineyards are named after winemakers, viticulturists, and mentors who have graciously offered their time, energy, friendship, and expertise to our passion for wine over the past ten years. Good thing we keep finding prime Mosel Germany vineyard to restore because we have a lot of people to thank. 

Cable Car across the Rhein River: A Hyperbolic Story 

Rob and Derek met in Barossa Valley Australia during harvest 2016 and immediately disliked each other. Forever in competition, when Derek purchased grapes to make his first wine, Robert found some for free. He then proceeded to give Derek a barrel… Madame Flöck Wines was conceived over many drunken nights. Nobody knew where they would set up shop but they were determined, as only two drunk kids at 3AM can be. On a harvest tour through Europe, Robert met his future wife, the winemaker Janina Schmitt in Winningen Mosel, and they fell madly in love and things got gooey real quick. Fast forward to a phone call: “Derek, you want to buy a vineyard” Robert was said to have asked, “Sure” was Derek’s response. “Okay.” Robert confirmed. And voilà Madame Flock Wines of the Mosel was born. 

The name itself comes from the owner of their first Mosel vineyard. And before you ask, no she doesn’t look like the woman on the bottle label who may or may not be a 19th century London zombie brothel keeper. The real Madame Flöck got the boys started in the Mosel and to honour her, they named their wine after her. As much as they dislike each other though, they both love growing vines and making great wine together. 

Robert Kane 

Robert is a free market capitalist, loudmouth New Yorker who now lives along the Mosel with his lovely winemaker wife Janina Schmitt in the town of Winningen. He has a passion for wine and all things meat. He is constantly trying to enlighten his best friend and business partner on the errors of a non meat diet; “it’s just wrong” he says. He also enjoys pontificating on the sagacity of the writings of Ayn Rand and Objectivism. He can usually be found tending Madame Flöck’s vines, sporting something not unlike an 80’s aerobics outfit, or arguing with his business partner about all things winemaking. His favourite drink is anything alcohol and he feels that any point during the day is a good time for a champagne.

Bowler (US Importer)

“Madame Flöck is the brainchild of Robert Kane (from the USA) and Derek-Paul Labelle (from Canada), both with a passion for wine, who met in the Barossa Valley in 2016. Robert Kane went on to marry Janina Schmitt (from Weingut Materne & Schmitt) and took the plunge with his old friend when they got the chance to buy a derelict vineyard in the Terrassenmosel, which they bought from a Mrs. Flöck, hence the name of their venture. Their operation is tiny: 0.4 ha planted with old vines in the terraced parts of the Lehmener Ausoniusstein and the Winninger Domgarten (more vineyards were added in 2019). They produce two wines named after some of their mentors. The vineyards are dry-farmed, without herbicides, and hand tended. The wines are fermented spontaneously and aged without any sulfur added or other additives on their gross lees with regular steering of the lees, and are bottled un-fined, unfiltered, and with little SO added (the wines have less than 50-60 mg/l of total SO2). They are vinified at the facilities of Weingut Materne & Schmitt.” - Mosel Fine Wines, Issue #57

Restaurant Verbene Michelin-starred Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel 

Rund ums Eck: Vor dreieinhalb Jahren hat sich David Weigang den Traum eines eigenen Restaurants erfüllt: Im Herzen der Koblenzer Altstadt eröffnete er das "Verbene" mit dem Anspruch: "Wir kochen mit besten Zutaten saisonale Köstlichkeiten, die in Erinnerung bleiben." Erfahrungen in der Sternegastronomie hatte der gelernte Koch und gebürtige Koblenzer da schon reichlich gesammelt, unter anderem auf Sylt und am Bodensee. Obwohl ihm Freunde und Bekannte abrieten, weil es oft heißt, Koblenz sei kein guter Standort für gehobene Gastronomie, blieb er seiner Philosophie treu. Und der Erfolg gibt ihm recht: Inzwischen kann er sich über ein großes Stammpublikum sowie viele hervorragende Bewertungen freuen.

 

Davids Lebenspartnerin Verena Schimmel unterstützt seit anderthalb Jahren das Restaurant-Team, anfangs noch in ihrer Freizeit, denn sie führte 14 Jahre lang erfolgreich einen Geschenkartikelladen in Emmelshausen. Vor wenigen Wochen hat sie ihr Geschäft aufgegeben, um sich komplett dem "Verbene" zu widmen. Eine Entscheidung, die ihr nicht leicht fiel, die sie aber aus Überzeugung getroffen hat. Denn sie teilt nicht nur Davids Leidenschaft für gutes Essen, sie genießt es auch wie er, den Gästen immer wieder ein Lächeln ins Gesicht zaubern zu können.

visitMosel.de: David Weigang und Verena Schimmel haben sich mit ihrem Restaurant „Verbene“ einen neuen Stern am Michelin-Himmel erarbeitet. Für die Gäste heißt das: Frische, Behaglichkeit und ganz Besonderes aus regionalen Zutaten. „Eine Küche voller Finesse, modern und saisonal“ [Guide Michelin]

So lobt die Redaktion des Guide Michelin das Können von David Weigang und seinem Team, das im Service von seiner Partnerin Verena Schimmel geleitet wird. Zugleich sitze man im schmucken Restaurant und im charmanten Brunnenhof abseits des städtischen Trubels. Damit haben die Sterne-Entscheider auf den Punkt gebracht, was die Gäste im „Verbene“ erwartet. Mit nur 22 Plätzen ist es ein echtes Refugium mitten und doch ruhig in der Koblenzer Altstadt gelegen. Kürzlich bekam es mit einem gleichnamigen Bistro am Rheinufer eine Art „Geschwisterchen“: Das wird ebenfalls von David Weigang und Verena Schimmel geleitet, die Küche führt der Sous-Chef des Restaurants „Verbene“. Hier, mit Blick auf die Festung Ehrenbreitstein, haben bis zu fünfzig Gäste auch spontan Platz. Das Bistro wartet mit einer kleinen, aktuellen Frischekarte auf. Die Philosophie beider gastlicher Adressen ist dieselbe: „Wir haben den Namen ‚Verbene‘ ganz bewusst gewählt, denn es ist ein heilsames, duftendes, angenehm würziges Kraut, das ursprünglich aus Südamerika stammt und in ganz Europa gedeiht. Es fördert die Gelassenheit, es verbindet Originalität mit Weltoffenheit.“

Genau mit dieser Grundhaltung kreiert er die raffinierten Gerichte, die als Mehrgangmenüs im „Verbene Restaurant“ und in reduzierter Form im „Verbene Bistro“ zu genießen sind. Die meisten Zutaten stammen von ausgewählten, zumeist kleinen Erzeugern aus der Region. Fisch beispielsweise wird im Laacher See von Hand geangelt. Käse, Geflügel oder Fleisch wird von Bauernhöfen aus der Eifel geliefert, für die Wertschätzung der Tiere selbstverständlich ist.

 

Verbene Bistro

Weingut Madame Flöck

Chef Tim Johnston

Restaurant Verbene Michelin-starred Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel 

Bye-bye

Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours: Already Released and Forthcoming Postings 

Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Braunewell in Essenheim, Rheinhessen, with Stefan Braunewell - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, with Christoph Thörle, Johannes Thörle and Uta Thörle - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Grauburgunder (French: Pinot Gris - Italian: Pinot Grigio) and Dinner at Restaurant Lumen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Eva Fricke in Eltville, Rheingau, with Eva Fricke - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Wein- und Sektgut Barth (VDP) in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Mark Barth and Alexia Putze - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Iconic Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau (one of the Largest Wineries in Germany): Lunch at the Abbey Tavern and Guided Tour of the Eberbach Abbey - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

"Steinberg" Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Kloster Eberbach (VDP) in Eltville, Rheingau, with Head-winemaker and Deputy MD Kathrin Puff - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant Kronenschlösschen, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Weingut Balthasar Ress Senior Boss Stefan Ress, Kronenschlösschen Maître and Head Sommelier Florian Richter (Best German Sommelier 2024 - Sommelier Union), Chef Roland Gorgosilich and Owner Johanna Ullrich - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Georg Breuer in Rüdesheim, Rheingau, with Theresa Breuer - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schloss Johannisberg (VDP), the Iconic Rheingau Estate, with Dieter Salomon - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Impromptu Tasting of Weingut Familie Allendorf Wines with Ulrich Allendorf and Max J. Schönleber at Restaurant Allendorf am Rhein - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn (VDP) in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Peter Bernhard Kühn - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Massive Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler (VDP) in Assmannshausen, Rheingau, with August Kesseler - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Spectacular View of the Rhein Valley in the Mittelrhein Region (UNESCO World Heritage Region), Lunch and Wine Tasting at Weingut Lanius Knab (VDP) in Oberwesel, Mittelrhein, with Jörg Lanius - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cruise on the Rhein River in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region, from Boppard to Koblenz, with Castles and Ruins Crowning the Top of the Hills like Pearls on a String - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, the Largest Historical Fortress in Europe after Gibraltar - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Impromptu Wine Tasting of the Wines of Weingut Madame Flöck, with Weingut Madame Flöck Owner/ Winemaker Robert Wade, Verbene Bistro Chef Tim Johnston, Restaurant Verbene Michelin starred Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at the 2024 Weinfest in Winningen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Eltz Castle, a True Fairy-tale Medieval Castle in the Hills above the Mosel, Built more than 850 Years ago by the Eltz Family - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Heim in Hotel Reiler Hof (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Reil - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Melsheimer in Reil, Middle Mosel, with Thorsten Melsheimer - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch (VDP) in Pünderich, Middle Mosel, with Oda Berthold - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Dr. Thanisch, Erben Müller-Burggraef Wines and Overnight Stay at the Brand-new, High-end Deinhard’s Hotel in Bernkastel-Kues - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting Weingut Dr.Loosen (VDP) in Bernkastel-Kues, Middle Mosel, with Anne Juchem - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter in Mülheim, Middle Mosel, with Dirk Richter - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Hermann Ludes in Thörnich, Middle Mosel, with Julian Ludes - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Günther Steinmetz in Brauneberg, Middle Mosel, with Sammy Steinmetz - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Matthias Hild in Wincheringen, Upper Mosel, with Matthias and Jonas Hild - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with Wines from Luxemburg at Koeppchen Bistro-Brasserie in Wormeldange-Haut in Luxembourg - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Van Volxem (VDP) in Wiltingen, Saar, with Lukas Büchner - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Asian Themed Wine-pairing Dinner at Dian's in Bernkastel-Kues, led by Janet Cam and Annette Schiller - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut H. Dönnhoff (VDP), Oberhausen, Nahe, with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Hermannshöhle Restaurant Weck in Niederhausen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Korrell Johanneshof in Bad Kreuznach, Nahe, with Sonja Reinbold and Martin Korell - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant Kruger-Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf (VDP), with Stefan Rumpf - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting and Bottling at Schlossgut Diel (VDP) in Rümmelsheim, Nahe, with Sylvain and Caroline Diel - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours    

Invitation: Riesling vs. Chenin Blanc: What Are the Differences and Similarities? - Comparative Tasting led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter) on Saturday, November 9, 2024

Riesling vs. Chenin Blanc: What Are the Differences and Similarities?

Aficionados of a fresh, crisp white wine will eventually fall in love with both the Riesling and Chenin Blanc grapes.  Riesling is of course Germany’s most planted and best known grape, while Chenin Blanc, though not the leading grape of France, is one of its white stars.  Chenin Blanc acquired its name from Mont-Chenin in the Touraine district of France in the 15th Century, but can be traced as far back as Anjou in 845 AD.  There is much to love and little to hate at all about either varietal.  Both varietals can be produced in all sorts of styles: sparkling, still, bone dry, semi-sweet, fruity sweet, or lusciously sweet.  In five flights, one Riesling and one Chenin Blanc each, we will compare the different styles of the two varietals and will examine the decisive factors: acidity level, sugar level, ageability, versatility, value, and terroir expressiveness.  

Join us for a fun tasting and find out if you are a Riesling or Chenin Blanc fan or maybe both!

Please plan to join the German Wine Society on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm for a comparative tasting of German Rieslings and Chenin Blancs from France’s Loire Valley,  with ten different wines offered to illustrate the similarities and differences of wines using these grapes.  The tasting will be presented by our own Annette Schiller, who will be bringing some of these wines back from Europe just for us from her most recent tour.  

Registrations for this event are due by Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and the price is $45 for GWS members, $52 for non-members.  Please be aware that, due to limited supply of the wines, we have maximum cap of 40 for attendance at this event. 

A tasty buffet of cheeses, bread, crackers, charcuterie, grapes and veggies will be provided to accompany the wines.

Our tasting will begin at 7 p.m on Saturday, November 9, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. to admit guests.  

The location is: 

Van Ness Room at 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008.  

Enter through the main lobby of the apartment building on the 5th floor, and then go down to the 2nd floor by elevator and proceed down the hall to the clubroom.  While there is not off-street parking at this location, on-street parking is available (bear in mind DC parking restrictions and meters), and there is easy access to Metro, at the Van Ness Red Line station.

 

You can register and pay for this event in either of two ways.  

First, you can register on our chapter website, https://germanwinesocietydc.org , and make payment by PayPal.   You will need to create a GWS account for the website if you do not already have one, and you will also need to have a PayPal account, as we cannot accept payment by other forms of credit or online transfer.  If you are coming as a couple or other group, please register and pay for each individual separately.

Second, if you prefer to register by mail and pay by check for the event, please clip off the registration form attached to this notice, indicate the names of all who will be attending, and mail a check made out to the German Wine Society in the proper amount along with the form to:   

Carl Willner  

President and Secretary, GWS Capital Chapter  

1014 Reserve Champion Drive  

Rockville, MD 20850

You can also reach the Secretary by e-mail at carl.willner1@verizon.net .

Whether you are registering by mail or online, please be sure to provide the names of all persons for whom you are registering, and pay the appropriate price depending on whether each person is a GWS member (with annual dues paid), or a non-member.   

If you have questions about this event, you may contact the event organizer and presenter, Annette Schiller, at aschiller@ombiasypr.com , or by phone at 703-459-7513.  Annette’s website is www.ombiasypr.com . For questions about registration and membership, please contact Carl Willner, Capital Chapter President and Secretary, at  carl.willner1@verizon.net .

---------------------------------------------------------------

To register by mail, please fill out and cut the reservation form below with your check – do not mail the entire notice:

REGISTRATION FORM FOR GERMAN WINE SOCIETY RIESLING - CHENIN BLANC COMPARATIVE TASTING, NOVEMBER 9, 2024

 

$45.00 Members / $52.00 Non-Member Guests

 

Member(s) Names: _________________________________________________________________

 

Guest(s) Names: _________________________________________________________________

 

Total Enclosed: _________________________________________________________________

 

Daytime Phone Number: __________________________________________________________________

 

E-Mail: __________________________________________________________________   

Wine Tours - Wine Education - Wine Events

Annette Schiller, Diplom-Volkswirt

Washington DC - Frankfurt am Main

USA: Ph and WhatsApp +1 703 459 7513

GER: Ph and WhatsApp +49 -177 337 0281

www.ombiasypr.com

Office:

6404 Woodsong Ct

McLean, VA 22101 - USA

schiller-wine: Related Postings 

Upcoming ombiasy Wine Tours by Annette Schiller: 2nd Half of 2024 and Outlook for 2025

Invitation - Fall 2024 by ombiasy WineTours: GERMANY Rhein and Mosel August 28 - September 06; RHÔNE: from Lyon to Avignon - Northern and Southern Rhône Valley October 13 - October 23

 

ombiasy WineTours Invitation: Exquisite Wine Tour to the World's Most Beautiful Wine Regions: August 28 - September 06, 2024: Rhein and Mosel

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023

Visit at Domaine des Aubuisières, Bernard Fouquet, in Vouvray, Touraine - Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Guided Visit of Château Chenonceau, Residence of Diana de Poitier and of Katharina de Medici, Mistress (the Former) and Wife (the Latter) of King Henry II - Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Christian Schiller`s SCHILLER-WINE Blog on Corking Wines` Top 101 Wine Writers of 2020 List

The 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA: Seen Through Christian Schiller's Camera Lens 

Announcement: 57th American Wine Society National Conference, to be held November 1-3, 2024, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with 2 Tastings led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours: (1) Discovery of the Off-the-Beaten-Path Wine Regions of France + (2) Germany’s Perfect Home for Pinot Grapes

Maison Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône: Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Tour - Rhône Valley Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France

Tour and Tasting at Château Haut-Bailly, Graves, Appellation Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé, with Cellar Master Jean Christoph - Bordeaux Tour 2022 by ombiasy WineTours, France

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

All Sorts of Sparklers: How do the Bubbles get into that Bottle? - Tasting at the American Wine Society (NoVa Chapter) led by Annette Schiller 

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller  

Christian Schiller: Re-elected to the Board of the "Weinfeder", the Association of German Wine Journalists

20 Best Washington DC (USA) Alcohol Blogs + Websites (December 31, 2023): #3 schiller-wine by Christian Schiller 

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

German Wine Society (Capital Chapter) Membership Meeting 2024: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Shifting from the Sugar Level at Harvest to the Wine's Geographic Origin

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024)

Tour of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, the Largest Historical Fortress in Europe after Gibraltar - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours took place from August 28 – Friday, September 06, 2024. We spent 10 days visiting top wine estates in five wine regions, tasting fabulous Rieslings and Pinot Noir (aka Spätburgunder), meeting world-renowned wine makers, travelling through the world’smost beautiful wine regions, cruising on the romantic Rhein river, looking at dizzying steep vineyards along the Rhein and Mosel rivers, and delving deep into German history and culture: Rheinhessen • Rheingau • Mittelrhein • Mosel • Nahe

We spent one day in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, where we visited the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe, was built in its current form between 1817 and 1828. Today, Ehrenbreitstein is the only surviving Prussian fortress from the 19th century, the largest historical fortress in Europe after Gibraltar and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. 

We drove by bus to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, visited the fortress, took the cable car to downtown Koblenz, had lunch there and went back the fortress by cable car.

Fortress Ehrenbreitstein

Ehrenbreitstein is the name of the hill on which the fortress sits. This hill has a perfect position overlooking a strategic point: traffic of two major “highways”: the confluence of the Mosel and Rhein rivers. This hill was first settled in the 4th century BC. During the Roman settlements in the 3rd to 5th centuries AD a fortification was constructed. Later under Corolingian rule a castle was constructed. In the 16th century the castle was fortified to withstand attacks with weapons using the latest invention: gunpowder. The French were always eying to incorporate the left bank territory of the Rhein into their portfolio. During the following centuries the fortress was attacked by the French multiples times but never conquered. After the Napoleonic wars, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 decided to give the “Rheinland” to Prussia. The fortification of Koblenz became a priority for the Prussians because of its strategic importance. After WW I this area was occupied by the Americans and Ehrenbreitstein became the US army headquarters. The American General Henry Tureman Allen, thought Ehrenbreitstein to be of historical and artistic value, hence the fortress escaped being destroyed. After 1923 the Americans handed this area over to the French who eventually gave it back to Germany. After WW II this area became the Federal State of Rheinland-Pfalz. Ehrenbreitstein has fascinated multiple artists. The most important is the painting by J.M.W.Turner, completed in 1835: “View of Ehrenbreitstein”. This painting is part of a private collection and has an estimated value of US $18.7–31.2m according to sotheby.com.

Cable Car across the Rhein River from Ehrenbreitstein down to Koblenz

Germany’s most modern cable cars take you from the summit station of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress all the way down to the city of Koblenz’ Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer river bank. The cable car transports up to 7,600 passengers per hour. With its panoramic cabins, it was an unforgettable trip over the Rhein.  

Fortress Ehrenbreitstein

Cable Car across the Rhein River

Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours: Already Released and Forthcoming Postings 

Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Braunewell in Essenheim, Rheinhessen, with Stefan Braunewell - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen, with Christoph Thörle, Johannes Thörle and Uta Thörle - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Grauburgunder (French: Pinot Gris - Italian: Pinot Grigio) and Dinner at Restaurant Lumen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Eva Fricke in Eltville, Rheingau, with Eva Fricke - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Wein- und Sektgut Barth (VDP) in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Mark Barth and Alexia Putze - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Iconic Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau (one of the Largest Wineries in Germany): Lunch at the Abbey Tavern and Guided Tour of the Eberbach Abbey - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

"Steinberg" Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Kloster Eberbach (VDP) in Eltville, Rheingau, with Head-winemaker and Deputy MD Kathrin Puff - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant Kronenschlösschen, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Weingut Balthasar Ress Senior Boss Stefan Ress, Kronenschlösschen Maître and Head Sommelier Florian Richter (Best German Sommelier 2024 - Sommelier Union), Chef Roland Gorgosilich and Owner Johanna Ullrich - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Georg Breuer in Rüdesheim, Rheingau, with Theresa Breuer - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schloss Johannisberg (VDP), the Iconic Rheingau Estate, with Dieter Salomon - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Impromptu Tasting of Weingut Familie Allendorf Wines with Ulrich Allendorf and Max J. Schönleber at Restaurant Allendorf am Rhein - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn (VDP) in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau, with Peter Bernhard Kühn - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Massive Tasting at Weingut August Kesseler (VDP) in Assmannshausen, Rheingau, with August Kesseler - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Spectacular View of the Rhein Valley in the Mittelrhein Region (UNESCO World Heritage Region), Lunch and Wine Tasting at Weingut Lanius Knab (VDP) in Oberwesel, Mittelrhein, with Jörg Lanius - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cruise on the Rhein River in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region, from Boppard to Koblenz, with Castles and Ruins Crowning the Top of the Hills like Pearls on a String - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, the Largest Historical Fortress in Europe after Gibraltar - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch and Impromptu Wine Tasting of the Wines of Weingut Madame Flöck, with Weingut Madame Flöck Owner/ Winemaker Robert Wade, Verbene Bistro Chef Tim Johnston, Restaurant Verbene Michelin starred Chef/ Owner David Weigang and Partner Verena Schimmel - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at the 2024 Weinfest in Winningen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of Eltz Castle, a True Fairy-tale Medieval Castle in the Hills above the Mosel, Built more than 850 Years ago by the Eltz Family - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant Heim in Hotel Reiler Hof (Michelin Bib Gourmand) in Reil - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Melsheimer in Reil, Middle Mosel, with Thorsten Melsheimer - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Clemens Busch (VDP) in Pünderich, Middle Mosel, with Oda Berthold - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Dr. Thanisch, Erben Müller-Burggraef Wines and Overnight Stay at the Brand-new, High-end Deinhard’s Hotel in Bernkastel-Kues - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting Weingut Dr.Loosen (VDP) in Bernkastel-Kues, Middle Mosel, with Anne Juchem - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter in Mülheim, Middle Mosel, with Dirk Richter - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Hermann Ludes in Thörnich, Middle Mosel, with Julian Ludes - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Günther Steinmetz in Brauneberg, Middle Mosel, with Sammy Steinmetz - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Matthias Hild in Wincheringen, Upper Mosel, with Matthias and Jonas Hild - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch with Wines from Luxemburg at Koeppchen Bistro-Brasserie in Wormeldange-Haut in Luxembourg - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Van Volxem (VDP) in Wiltingen, Saar, with Lukas Büchner - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Asian Themed Wine-pairing Dinner at Dian's in Bernkastel-Kues, led by Janet Cam and Annette Schiller - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut H. Dönnhoff (VDP), Oberhausen, Nahe, with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Hermannshöhle Restaurant Weck in Niederhausen - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours 

Tasting at Weingut Korrell Johanneshof in Bad Kreuznach, Nahe, with Sonja Reinbold and Martin Korell - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine-pairing Dinner at Restaurant Kruger-Rumpf, Weingut Kruger-Rumpf (VDP), with Stefan Rumpf - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting and Bottling at Schlossgut Diel (VDP) in Rümmelsheim, Nahe, with Sylvain and Caroline Diel - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours