The Best Vineyards in Germany's Moselle Region
Vines in the Moselle region | © Real Name Given/Flickr
Between
Koblenz and the border to
Luxembourg lies Germany’s
oldest wine region. Already the Romans saw potential in the warm microclimate and nutrient-rich soil. Today, the vineyards of the Moselle region produce some of the world’s best Rieslings. Here are seven of the best vineyards.
Weingut Willi Schäfer
Winery, Brewery
This small vineyard dates back to 1121. The Schäfer family mostly relies on their trained sense of taste and their gut instinct when it comes to determining the best time to harvest each section of their vines. The family exclusively produces Riesling on their 4.2 hectares of land which are characterised by a perfect balance between acidity and structure. The critically-acclaimed wines are being distributed all over the world. If you would like to taste the wine on-site, be sure to book an appointment beforehand.
Weingut Schloss Saarstein
Winery, Brewery
Weingut Schloss Saarstein resembles more a château which sits at the top of the vine-clad hills near Serrig. In 1956 Christian Ebert’s parents purchased the estate and now cultivate 10 hectares of vines, with more than 95% being Riesling grapes. Every year the team bottles elegant and delicate white wines typical of the area. Tastings can be arranged online or via the phone. For larger events of up to 50 people, Schloss Saarstein has a beautiful glass-fronted indoor terrace overlooking the vineyards and the Saar river below.
Weingut Selbach-Oster
Winery, Brewery
This estate cultivates Riesling and small amounts of Pinot Blanc across 21 hectares along the ‘golden mile’ between Zeltingen and Bernkastel. The family carries on a 440-year-long tradition of producing aromatic and timeless white wines. The prize-winning Rieslings are available across the world and are served in the business and the first class of international airlines. Tasting can be booked for groups with a minimum of four people.
Weingut Vollenweider
Winery, Brewery
In 1990 Swiss Daniel Vollenweider fulfilled his dream of managing his own vineyard. Since then he’s expanded his lands from only one hectare to five and climbed the ladder to the top of prestigious Moselle wines. His portfolio is composed of dry and sweet Rieslings which are available from wine shops across Germany as well as internationally. For visits and tastings, contact the vineyard via the online contact form.
Weingut van Volxen
Winery
In 2000, Roman Niewodniczanski took over this historical vineyard which dates back to Roman times. Rediscovered by monks in the 11th century, the estate was acquired by the van Volxem family after the French Revolution and evolved to be one of the most prestigious vineyards of the time. Nowadays, Niewodniczanski aims to equal the dry Rieslings of the 1900s which counted royal families across Scandinavia as ardent fans. International critics and customers are already convinced, and his Rieslings rank among the top of wines from the region.
Weingut Clemens Busch
Winery, Brewery
Clemens and Rita Busch grow Riesling and a small amount of Pinot Noir on their 16 hectares in Pünderich. In 1984 the couple moved to only producing organic wines, renouncing the use of pesticides, fertilizers and chemical additives. Since then they have been ranked as one of the best German ecological wine producers. Their passion for the work and their respectful relationship with the vines are reflected in a range of elegant and dense white wines. The family offers tastings at their estate house in Pünderich.
Weingut Markus Molitor
Winery, Brewery
At only 20 years of age, Markus Molitor took over
this vineyard from his father. Following his lead, the winemaker
mostly produces Riesling. He aspires to produce wines that each reflect the distinct qualities of the terroir the vines grew on – and with 15 parcels of land across the region, he has a lot to experiment with. The key to his success is the uncompromising selection when it comes to harvesting and the maturing process. Between 2009 and 2012, he renovated the Haus Klosterberg estate manor entirely, mixing historical and modern elements. Guests can visit the beautiful vineyard throughout the week, and tastings of a selection of wines can be arranged.
These recommendations were updated on September 8, 2017 to keep your travel plans fresh.
