Friday, March 28, 2025

Remembering Rudi Wiest, Legendary German Wine Importer in California, USA

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Rudi Wiest, Rudi Wiest Selections, in Mainz. See: 2016 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2015 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report 

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Rudi Wiest in Wiesbaden, Germany, 2015

Photos: Tasters from the US - Rudi Wiest, Justin Christoph and Christian G.E. Schiller. See: Germany’s Grosses Gewaechs – Grand Cru - Vintage 2013 White Wines and Vintage 2012 Red Wines Released. Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in August 2014 in Wiesbaden, Germany 

German Wine Institute (DWI) 24.03.25

Renowned German wine importer Rudi Wiest passed away on March 9, 2025, at 88 years old. Wiest is regarded as one of the most impactful figures in German wine’s success in the United States.

The German Wine Institute (DWI) appointed Wiest as a U.S. Riesling Fellow in 2017 — the first time a recipient was awarded the honor in the United States — for his passion, dedication and advocacy for German wine in the United States.

"To this day, we are infinitely grateful to Rudi Wiest for everything he has done for German Riesling and German wine in the USA. His work has made a decisive contribution to promoting the image and thus also the sales of German wines in our most important export market,” says DWI Managing Director Monika Reule in retrospect."

Wiest worked tirelessly

Wiest was born in Germany in 1936, moving to America with his family at the age of 16. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and becoming a citizen of the United States, Wiest discovered his passion — and obsession — for wine. 

Rudi Wiest Selections was established in 1978 and included five founding producers: Mönchhof, Milz, S.A. Prüm, Vereinigte Hospitien and Zilliken. Wiest worked tirelessly to elevate the perception of German wines and expand his impressive portfolio.

Spin doctor for German wine

Over 40 years, Wiest and team brought attention to many esteemed estates and is best known for introducing the U.S. market to Egon Müller, JJ Prüm and Karthäuserhof as outstanding examples of German wine.

Beyond his company’s powerhouse line-up of producers, Wiest brought attention to Germany’s underappreciated offerings, like dry Riesling and Pinot Noir. He is also credited with successfully urging German producers to simplify their wine labels, especially at lower price points, in order to appeal to a wider audience.

The success story lives on

Today, Wiest’s legacy lives on through The German Wine Collection (GWC). Founded by Jenna Fields in 2019, who worked alongside Wiest and considers him a mentor, the GWC aims to continue Wiest’s legacy and preserve the US-representation of reknown estates under one company.

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