Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller at the 45th Anniversary of the German Wine Society at the German Embassy in Washington DC, October 7, 2022, Germany/ USA
The Vinum
Weinguide Germany 2023 was released a few days ago, presenting Vinum's choice
of Germany’s best 1 000 wine producers and reviewing more than 10 700
wines on 1118 pages.
5 out of 5 stars („world class“) were
awarded to 18 estates.
There are 3 new ones on the list: Aldinger, Battenfeld-Spanier and Kühling-Gillot.
Congratualtions!
In addition, there are 31 estates with 4.5 stars, and 66 estates with 4 stars.
Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have met all the 5/5 winemakers at various occasions over the past years, often at their estate during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.
Ahr
None.
Baden
Bernhard Huber
One of the winemakers leading the German red wine revolution. Bernhard
Huber, only 53 years old, died in June 2014, after a battle with
cancer. His son, Julian Huber, has taken over. 28 hectares.
See:
Wine Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Franken
Rudolf Fürst
Weingut Rudolf Fürst has the reputation of being a specialist for red
wines, Spätburgunder and Früburgunder, which account for 60% of
the production; but brilliant dry wines are also produced.
Sebastian Fürst has taken over from his father Paul Fürst. 20
hectares.
See:
Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at
Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East
Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken
Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany
Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland
and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian
Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras
(Champagne Legras & Haas)
Pictures: Paul Fürst, Annette Schiller, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at Weingut Rudolf Fürst. See: Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany
Pictures: Dinner with Sebastian Fürst and Julian Huber. See: Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland
and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber
(Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne
Legras & Haas)
Pictures: Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting (from Barrel and from Bottle) at
Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst - Germany-East
Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken
Hessische Bergstrasse
None.
Mittelrhein
None.
Mosel (Mosel - Saar -Ruwer)
Clemens Busch
In a region where the humidity and extremely steep vineyards make most wine makers to rely on some level of pesticide, Clemens Busch is 100% organic/biodynamic. And: In a region where noticeable residual sugar in the finished wine and low alcohol is the standard, Clemens Busch’s focus is on dry premium Rieslings that can compete with the best dry whites in the world. But Clemens Busch also produces some off-dry wines as well as powerfully complex, nobly sweet wines.
Falkenstein
Erich and Johannes Weber of Hofgut Falkenstein are new on this list. The father-and-son team farms about 8 hectares of mainly old Riesling vines (over 40% ungrafted) in a remote side valley of the Saar. Erich Weber and his wife, Marita, built up the property of the then-dilapidated Falkensteiner Hof (established in 1901) from scratch. In those days, Erich was one of the only organic growers in the region. The winemaking is old school; all the wines are vinified with ambient yeasts in old oak Fuder.
Joh. Jos. Prüm
Manfred and Katharina Prüm are legends. Only
Rieslings are produced at the winery, all are not fully fermented so
that the wines have residual sugar. The wines of Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm
are famous worldwide for their residual sugar. They are extremely fine, of almost endless
play and combine lightness and depth in impressive dimensions. Tasting
the collection is always a highlight.
Picture: Annette Schiller and Manfred Prüm
Picture: Christian Schiller with Katharina Pruem at Wegmans in Virginia. See also: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans
Pictures: Tasting at the Legendary Weingut J.J. Prüm with Amei Prüm – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016
Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling
Schloss Lieser (Thomas Haag)
The older brother of Oliver Haag, Weingut Fritz Haag, grew up at
Weingut Fritz Haag. Thomas Haag has been the winemaker at Weingut
Schloss Lieser in Lieser since 1992 and its owner since 1997.
Schloss Lieser – a mighty castle – is the landmark of Lieser, a
tiny, quaint Mosel village, built in 1875 by Baron von Schorlemer.
Weingut Schloss Lieser was founded in 1904 and produced some of the
greatest wines in the Mosel region. In the second half of the
1900s, however, the estate passed through several hands and went
into decline.
Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser with Owner/ Winemaker Thomas Haag – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016
Picture: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, and Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015
Picture:
Annette Schiller, Thomas Haag with his Son (Weingut Schloss Lieser)
and Stephen Bitterolf at the 2017 Rieslingfeier in NYC. See: The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA
Nahe
Emrich-Schönleber
The first mentioning of winegrowing in the Schönleber family dates back
to the mid-18th century. Today the estate has 20.4 hectares of
vineyards and 85% is planted with Riesling. Monzingen is located in the
western fringes of the Nahe winegrowing area, with vineyards situated
between 160 to 250 metres above sea level, and protected from the
north by the Soonwald forest. Werner and Frank Schönleber’s rigorous
quality control brought the winery to the upper echelon in Germany and
beyond.
Picture:
Christian Schiller and Werner Schönleber, Weingut
Emrich-Schönleber at the 2013 Riesling Gala at Kloster Eberbach,
Germany
Pictures: At Weingut Emrich-Schönleber. See: Tasting at Weingut Emrich-Schönleber in Monzingen, Nahe, with Owner/ Winemaker Frank Schönleber - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Schäfer-Fröhlich
Tim Fröhlich took over the virtually unknown estate of his parents in
1998 and shaped it into one of the top Nahe estates in a very short
period of time.Tim is a “master” of indigenous yeast fermentation.
His dry wines are much appreciated in Germany, while in the US and
Asia, Weingut Dönnhoff is better known for its fruity-sweet and
noble-sweet Rieslings. 20 hectares. 85% Riesling.
Pfalz
Bürklin Wolf
Bernard Bürklin founded this estate in 1597. Today it is run by his descendant, Bettina Bürklin von Gurdaze, and her husband Christian.
Weingut Bürklin Wolf is one of the largest family-owned wine estate in Germany, with 110 hectares of vineyards in the Pfalz Mittelhardt, including many of the best sites in Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg. Even though this estate produces first-class sweet wines, the site is most famous for its dry Rieslings.
Pictures:
Hauskonzert - Sunday Morning Concert - at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf
with Annette Schiller and Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and a 150 years
old Steinway Concert Piano. See: 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
Pictures: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Knipser
A world class producer of both white and red wines. Werner Knipser has
been experimenting with international red grape varieties for
some years. Virtually all wines are fermented in a dry style.
Werner Knipser’s children Sabine Knipser and Stephan Knipser are in
the process of taking over. 40 hectares.
Ökonomierat Rebholz
A broad wine portfolio with Riesling and Pinots (Blanc, Noir and Gris) as well as Chardonnay. All dry. A mover and shaker in the "Grosses Gewächs" movement. The estate’s 22 ha are farmed bio-dynamically with a production of about 10,000 cases.
See:
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Wine Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Hansjörg and Birgit Rebholz at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf
Picture: In the Cellar of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz. See: Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen,
Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Pictures: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Rheingau
Peter Jakob Kühn
One of the leaders of biodynamic winemaking in Germany. Last year's
Gault Millau Deutschland Wunemaker of the Year. 20 hectares. 90%
Riesling and 10% Pinot Noir. Peter Jakob's son Peter Bernhard Kühn is in
the process of taking over.
Picture: Annette Schiller with Peter Jakob Kühn in Berlin
Pictures: Kühn Peter Jakob, Oestrich (Rheingau) - One of the Bio-dynamic Stars in Germany: Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Östrich, Winkel – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Rheinhessen
Battenfeld-Spanier
Weingut Kühling-Gillot and Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier are jointly owned and run by Carolin Spanier-Gillot and H.O. Spanier. While H.O. Spanier is focussing more on the vineyard and cellar work, Carolin Spanier-Gillot is focussing more on the marketing and administrative work for both estates.
28 hectares
75% Riesling
Keller
Leader of the Rheinhessen wine renaissance. Has a broad wine portfolio
with 60 % accounted for by Riesling and also including the
lesser known autochthon Silvaner as well as Spaetburgunder. 15
hectares.
Picture: Annette Schiller, Julia and Klaus Peter Keller at the 2015 Rieslingfeier in New York, see: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2015, USA
Kühling-Gillot
Weingut Kühling-Gillot and Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier are jointly owned and run by Carolin Spanier-Gillot and H.O. Spanier. While H.O. Spanier is focussing more on the vineyard and cellar work, Carolin Spanier-Gillot is focussing more on the marketing and administrative work for both estates.
15 hectares
60% Riesling, 25% Spätburgnder
Wittmann
The Wittmann family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the
small Rheinhessen village of Westhofen since 1663. Today, the estate
cultivates 62 acres of vines in the rolling limestone hills found in the
southern part of the region, just west of the Rhine river valley. They
have been pioneers in developing the full-bodied, well-balanced style
of dry wines for which the region has become known. And they were early
adopters of organic (1990) and biodynamic (2004) viticulture.
Riesling is the dominant grape variety, accounting for 65% of the
estate’s vineyard area. They also produce the three Pinot varieties
(Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), as well as Silvaner. In
addition, small quantities of Scheurebe, Chardonnay and some minor
varieties are grown.
Pictures: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Saale-Unstrut
None.
Sachsen
None.
Württemberg
Gerhard Aldinger
Württemberg is a region even more obscure outside Germany than Baden, but it enjoys tremendous renown at home. The first and only producer in Württemberg to be given five stars by Vinum, the family has been established in Fellbach since 1492, both as coopers and wine-growers. In the sure hands of brothers Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger, they have been propelled into the stratosphere of quality and acclaim.
29 hectares
30% Riesling, 15% Lemberger, 15% Spätburgunder
Pictures: Gert Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger, Karl Eugen Erbgraf zu Neipperg, Weingut Des Grafen Neipperg and Annette Schiller See: 2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report
schiller-wine: Related Postings
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Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia
The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference December 2021
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Wine Dinner with
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at Roberto's Ristorante Italiano in Vienna/ Virginia, 2022
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
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