Monday, September 30, 2024

Washington DC, Munich and Franconia - Christian & Annette Schiller, Jan Hartwig and Christian M. Stahl: "Friends from Washington DC Being Guests at Friends from Munich ...

  



A couple of days ago, Annette and I enjoyed a spectacular dinner at JAN with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten 3-star Michelin chefs that Germany currently has. Arguably, Jan Hartwig and Christian Bau of Victor's Fine Dining by Christian Bau represent the pinacle of cooking in Germany currently.

Among the wines we had at JAN was a Chardonnay from Christian Stahl. Interestingly, Christian Stahl is the only star winemaker in Germany, possibly in the whole world, who also has a Michelin star. 

A couple of years ago, at the beginning of his journey into the world of fine dining, Christian was trying to expand his wine business into the USA, focussing on the greater Washington DC and the New York areas. In that context, we organized a number of winemaker events in the Washington DC area. In one year, Christian was the guest of honor at our annual Riesling party. The last event was a dinner at our home in McLean, where he and his Co-chef Mirko Schweiger cooked for about 30 wine lovers and poured his wines.

Christian M. Stahl commented on Instagram: "Friends from Washington DC Being Guests at Friends from Munich ..."

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









2022 Weingut Christian Stahl Sonnenstuhl Chardonnay at JAN


Christian L. Stahl in Washington DC/ USA

2016

Christian has been coming to the US since 2016. His first tasting in the US was in January 2016 at Cleveland Park Fine Wines and Liquor Store. See: Welcome to the USA: Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl in Franken, Germany

Pictures: Christian L. and Simone Stahl at Cleveland Park Fine Wines and Liquor Store in Washington DC, with Importer Chris Bartha, General Manager Anthony Quinn and Christian Schiller.
 
2016

Later in the year, when Christian came for the second time, he was our guest of honor at our Riesling Party 2016, where he presented his wines. See: Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia, with German Star Winemaker Christian L. Stahl, German Wine Journalist Joachim A.J. Kaiser and Virginia Star Winemaker Chris Pearmund

Pictures: Christian Stahl at Annette and Christian Schiller’s Summer of Riesling 2016 in McLean, Virginia
 
2017
 
In January 2017 Annette organized a winemaker dinner with him at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia. See: Franken Wines, Virginia Oysters and French-Mediterranian Food: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia
 
2017

Before the dinner, Annette and Christian Schiller, had invited to a reception with Christian L. Stahl had their private home. We had Rappahanock oysters from Virginia and Stahl wine. They paired very well. See: Franken Wines, Virginia Oysters and French-Mediterranian Food: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl from Winzerhof Stahl, Germany, and Chef Driss Zahidi at Evo Bistro in McLean, Virginia

Pictures: Oysters and Stahl Wines at Schiller's Residence
 
2018  
 
Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, organized a winemaker dinner with Christian at the trendy BToo restaurant on 14th Street NW.
 
40 German wine lovers had a great time with the excellent wines of Christian Stahl and the super food of Chef Dieter Samyn. 
 
See: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany, and Chef Dieter Samyn at BToo in Washington DC, USA 
 


Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl and hef Dieter Samyn at BToo in Washington DC, USA

2021
 
The last time, I saw Christian in the Washington DC area was in 2021. The USA lifted its 18-month covid travel ban on November 8th, 2021. One of the first, if not the first, was star winemaker and chef Christian L. Stahl from Franken, Winemaker of the Year 2018 (FAS, Stuart Pigott). He was accompanied by Chef Mirko from his fine dining team.
 
Christian and Mirko flew over to the USA on November 9th and spent 2 days in Washington DC before moving on to New York City and Chicago 
 
On very short notice, Annette Schiller and I managed to arrange a winemaker dinner with Christian L. Stahl and his bone dry wines from Franken at our home in McLean on Wednesday November 10th. As it turned out, the RSVPs we got was double the number of seats available for this evening. As a result, we had a second dinner a few days later, with same wines and the same menu, however without Christian Stahl. He was sitting in the plane back to Germany on that evening. 

See: Christian Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken, Germany back in the USA - Winemaker Dinner at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia (2021) 



 

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Christian L. Stahl, Chef and Winekaer, at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Northern Virginia (2021)  
 
With Christian L Stahl In Germany
 
2012
 
We met Christian for the first time in 2012 in Germany at the top Restaurant SchauMahl in Frankfurt/ Germany, were he came for a winemaker dinner.

Pictures: Christian Schiller and Annette Schiller with Christian Stahl in Frankfurt. See: The Bistronomics Cuisine of Chef Christoph Kubenz and the Wines of Winemaker Christian Stahl at Restaurant schauMahl in Frankfurt, Germany
 
2017

In 2017, we visited Christian L. Stahl at the Winzerhof Stahl in Franken and experienced first hand that Christian is not only a gifted winemaker but also a Highly talented chef. Those who came on the Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2017 will definitely remember the out-of-this-world lunch Christian cooked for us at Winzerhof Stahl. See: Lunch with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken: Not only a Gifted Winemaker but also a Gifted Chef - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Pictures: Lunch at Winzerhof Stahl, with Chef Christian L. Stahl. See: Lunch with Christian L. Stahl, Winzerhof Stahl, Franken: Not only a Gifted Winemaker but also a Gifted Chef - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy

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)

 

 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

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








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 had a wine-pairing dinner with wines of Weingut Balthasar Ress at Restaurant Kronenschlösschen, with Weingut Balthasar Ress Senior Boss Stefan Ress, Kronenschlösschen Head-sommelier Florian Richter (Best German Sommelier 2024 - Sommelier Union), Chef Roland Gorgosilich and Owner Johanna Ullrich. The weather was perfect and we could have the dinner outside in the beautiful park. 

Kronenschlösschen had a Michelin star for a long time, but lost it a few years ago. Under Chef Roland Gorgosilich, Kronenschlösschen is on the way to regain the Michelin star. Clearly, the dinner we had was at the Michelin star level. Bravo!

Kronenschlösschen

carrotsandtigers.com: Located in Germany’s beautiful Rheingau wine region, Hotel Kronenschlösschen is well-known for its award-winning cuisine and excellent wine list.

The hotel is also renown for hosting the prominent annual Rheingau wine festival; bringing together many Michelin-starred chefs and the best winemakers from around the globe. The festival has been on my list for a long time but so far has always clashed with other appointments in my diary.

Originally built in the 1850s as a private residence, the property was transformed into a hotel at the end of the 19th century. Unfortunately, it was not taken care of very well and when it was bought by its current owner in 1990 it was at the verge of collapse.

Two years of careful renovation was needed to restore the buildings’ former splendour whilst making sure that the property was also equipped with all the necessary modern amenities. Today, Kronenschlösschen is regularly named one of the most beautiful and idyllic country hotels in Germany.
 
Maître and Head Sommelier Florian Richter
 
Meininger Verlag: Florian Richter, Maître und Head Sommelier im Hotel Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, hat am 19. November das Finale der siebten Sommelier-Trophy gewonnen. Die Sommelier-Union Deutschland kürt im Rahmen dieses Wettbewerbs alle zwei Jahre den „Besten Sommelier Deutschlands“ (m/w/d). Der 36-jährige Sommelier und gelernte Hotelfachmann tritt damit die Nachfolge von Sebastian Russold an, der den Titel 2021 holte.  
 
 
Chef Roland Gorgosilich 
 
rheingau-gourmet-festival.de: Der geborene Österreicher kann eine bemerkenswerte Vita vorweisen. Zu seinen Stationen gehören das Aqua, Schloss Fuschl, Friedrichsruhe, Villa Hammerschmiede und danach zwölf Jahre in Südafrika als Chef im Grand Roche/Paarl Restaurant Bosman‘s. Da das Grande Roche verkauft wurde, entschloss sich der Spitzenkoch zu seiner Rückkehr nach Europa. Seit 01.02.2020 ist er Küchenchef im Kronenschlösschen. 
 
Johanna Ullrich
 
Johanna Ullrich has been the General Manager of the Kronenschlösschen since 2017. Her father, Hans B. Ullrich, bought the then run-down Kronenschlösschen in 1990 and brought it up to the level were it is today.
 

 
Stefan Ress - Weingut Balthasar Ress

Weingut Balthasar Ress: The story begins with Balthasar Ress in 1870 and continues to the present day. Carl, Paul, Stefan, and Christian, the fourth generation of the family, have all left their stamp on the winery, while always upholding the claim of great hospitality and producing outstanding wines.

Balthasar Ress wanted to host that’s how it all started. A brave and passionate young man Balthasar founded the “Gasthof Ress” in the main street in Hattenheim and laid the foundation, not only for a long gastronomic tradition and hospitality in the Rheingau but also for today’s winery Balthasar Ress. Since then, the Ress family has lived in the tradition of being good hosts and creating fine moments with fine wines.

140 years later, Christian Ress takes responsibility for the winery, which under his leadership will become the largest eco-viticultural enterprise in Hesse in 2019. In 2020, the family celebrates the 150th anniversary of the company. Today, the winery is fully owned by the family, and Stefan and Christian Ress are the fourth and fifth generations of owners. The wine portfolio consists of fine, characteristic, complex, and individual wines that clearly reflect their origin, up to bold wines that are very different from traditional Rieslings. Owners are always upholding the highest standards, providing excellent service, and being a winemaker true to today’s motto “Fine wines. Fine moments.”

With Stefan Ress at the wineBank in Hattenheim in 2013 

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Christian Schiller and Stefan Ress in the wineBank in Hattenheim in 2013 during the: German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013. See: Tasting at Weingut Balthasar Ress, Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Stefan Ress, Germany
 
With Stefan Ress at WineLAIR in Washington DC in 2022


See: Stefan Ress of Weingut Balthasar Ress, Rheingau, Germany and WineBANK Rheingau at WineLAIR Washington DC, USA/ Germany (2022)
 
Kronenschlösschen




Stefan Ress


Dinner



Menu

Apero




Amuse Gueule







Coquilles Saint Jacques






Quinda Gin from Taunus






Ternera Gallega Veal and Breton Lobster



Gariguette Strawberry





Petits Fours

The Wines



Good Night




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 with Wines of Weingut Balthasar Ress at Restaurant Kronenschlösschen, with Weingut Balthasar Ress Senior Boss Stefan Ress, Kronenschlösschen 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), 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

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

Lunch, Tasting and Vineyard Tour at Weingut Lanius Knab (VDP) in Oberwesel, Mittelrhein, with Jörg Lanius - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Cruise on the Rhein, from Boppard to Koblenz, passing the famous Loreley Rock - Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein - 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