Hessische Staatsweingueter vinothek inside the 12th-century Kloster Eberbach abbey, with self-pour and counter tastings of the Steinberg and Assmannshausen ranges.
The list: The Hessische Staatsweingueter vinothek inside the 12th-century Kloster Eberbach abbey, with self-pour and counter tastings of the Steinberg, Assmannshausen and other state holdings
Tip: Late afternoon is the calmest tasting window; the abbey shop self-pour station lets you flight Steinberg trocken against the GG without booking.
Address: Kloster Eberbach 1, 65346 Eltville am Rhein, Germany, Rheingau
Estate vinothek of moated Schloss Vollrads in Oestrich-Winkel, pouring the estate dry Riesling range for counter tasting alongside an estate-direct shop.
The list: The estate vinothek of moated Schloss Vollrads, pouring the estate dry Riesling range for counter tasting alongside an extensive estate-direct shop
Tip: Combine the vinothek tasting with a stroll around the moated castle; the estate runs guided cellar tours on weekend afternoons.
Johannes Leitz's central Ruedesheim vinothek, pouring the steep Berg Schlossberg, Berg Roseneck and Berg Rottland dry Rieslings for counter tasting.
The list: Johannes Leitz's estate vinothek in central Ruedesheim, pouring the steep Berg Schlossberg, Berg Roseneck and Berg Rottland dry Rieslings for tasting
Tip: The Berg trio is the headline tasting flight; ask the staff to set the three steep-slope Rieslings side by side.
Traditional-method Sekt house in Eltville pouring Riesling and Spaetburgunder Sekt from Rheingau base wines, with cellar tours and Sekt tastings.
The list: A traditional-method Sekt house in Eltville pouring Riesling and Spaetburgunder Sekt from Rheingau base wines, with cellar tours and counter tastings of the Sekt range
Tip: Book the cellar tour to see the riddling racks; the traditional-method Riesling Sekt is the headline pour.
Wegeler estate sparkling-wine programme in Oestrich-Winkel, pouring Riesling and Pinot Sekt from estate base wines in the vinothek.
The list: The Wegeler estate sparkling-wine programme in Oestrich-Winkel, pouring Riesling and Pinot Sekt from estate base wines for tasting in the vinothek
Tip: Pair the Sekt flight with the still Geheimrat J Riesling to see the estate's two faces side by side.
Gunter Kuenstler's Hochheim estate vinothek pouring traditional-method Riesling Sekt alongside the dry Riesling range from the warmer Main-side slopes.
The list: Gunter Kuenstler's Hochheim estate vinothek pouring traditional-method Riesling Sekt alongside the dry Riesling range, in the estate house on the Geheimrat-Hummel-Platz
Tip: The Kuenstler Riesling Sekt brut is the estate's quiet specialty; ask for it alongside the Hochheimer Hoelle trocken.
Traditional Drosselgasse Weinhaus and hotel in Ruedesheim, pouring Rheingau Riesling, Spaetburgunder and Sekt by the glass through long brass-band evenings under chestnut trees.
The list: A traditional Drosselgasse Weinhaus pouring Rheingau Riesling, Spaetburgunder and Sekt by the glass through long Drosselgasse evenings of brass music and tavern food
Tip: The Drosselgasse runs loud until midnight in summer; grab a riverside-facing courtyard table for the calmer end of the Lindenwirt's terrace.