The iconic bottles that define Rheingau: what they are, who makes them and what they cost.

Iconic bottles of Rheingau

Silberlack Riesling GG ★ 4.8

schloss-johannisbergstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 20EUR 55 to 90 at retail

The silver-foiled flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the Johannisberg quartzite slope of the 1720 monastic estate.

Tasting notes: Schloss Johannisberg's silver-foiled flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the Johannisberg quartzite slope, with ripe yellow stone fruit, smoky slate and concentrated salty length. Source: schloss-johannisberg.de.

Goldlack Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese ★ 4.9

schloss-johannisbergbotrytised Rheingau Riesling TrockenbeerenausleseRieslingapproachable from 10, cellar 10 to 80EUR 400 to 900 at retail per 375ml

The gold-foiled Schloss Johannisberg Trockenbeerenauslese, late-harvest botrytised Riesling in the 1775 Spaetlese lineage.

Tasting notes: The gold-foiled Trockenbeerenauslese in the Schloss Johannisberg colour ladder, in the lineage of the 1775 Spaetlese discovery, with liqueur-like candied stone fruit and saffron over racy slate acidity. Source: schloss-johannisberg.de.

Gruenlack Riesling Spaetlese ★ 4.7

schloss-johannisbergfruity-sweet Rheingau Riesling SpaetleseRieslingapproachable from 4, cellar 5 to 25EUR 35 to 55 at retail

Schloss Johannisberg's green-foiled fruity-sweet Spaetlese on the Johannisberg quartzite hill.

Tasting notes: The green-foiled fruity-style Spaetlese in the Schloss Johannisberg colour ladder, in the lineage of the 1775 Spaetlese discovery, with ripe yellow apple, peach and slate over crisp acidity. Source: schloss-johannisberg.de.

Steinberger Riesling GG ★ 4.9

hessische-staatsweingueter-kloster-eberbachstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 45 to 70 at retail

The walled-vineyard dry Grosses Gewachs from the 1136 Cistercian Steinberg above Eltville.

Tasting notes: The walled-vineyard dry Grosses Gewachs from the 1136 Cistercian Steinberg above Eltville: deep, herbal, smoky Riesling with the structure of a true wall-enclosed cru. Source: kloster-eberbach.de.

Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder GG ★ 4.7

hessische-staatsweingueter-kloster-eberbachstill dry Rheingau Spaetburgunder Grosses GewachsSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 50 to 85 at retail

The Hessian state estate's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs Spaetburgunder from the historic German Pinot enclave on red slate.

Tasting notes: The Hessian state estate's dry Grosses Gewachs Pinot Noir from the red phyllite slate of the Hoellenberg, with sour cherry, red plum and fine slaty grip. Source: kloster-eberbach.de.

Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling GG ★ 4.7

hessische-staatsweingueter-kloster-eberbachstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 50 to 80 at retail

The Hessian state estate's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Marcobrunn springwater vineyard.

Tasting notes: The Hessian state estate's dry Grosses Gewachs from the Marcobrunn springwater vineyard on the Erbach bank, dense, broad and mineral. Source: kloster-eberbach.de.

Schlossberg Riesling GG ★ 4.6

schloss-vollradsstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 45 to 70 at retail

Schloss Vollrads's dry Grosses Gewachs from the steep Schlossberg slope behind the moated Winkel castle.

Tasting notes: Schloss Vollrads's dry Grosses Gewachs from the steep Schlossberg slope behind the moated Winkel castle, with dense yellow fruit, smoke and slaty length. Source: schlossvollrads.com.

Kiedricher Graefenberg Riesling GG ★ 4.9

robert-weilstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 70 to 110 at retail

Robert Weil's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the steep Kiedricher Graefenberg phyllite slope.

Tasting notes: Robert Weil's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the steep Kiedricher Graefenberg phyllite slope, deep, smoky and intensely mineral with decades of cellar life. Source: weingut-robert-weil.com.

Kiedricher Graefenberg Riesling Auslese ★ 4.8

robert-weilbotrytised Rheingau Riesling AusleseRieslingapproachable from 10, cellar 10 to 50EUR 80 to 160 at retail

Robert Weil's botrytised Graefenberg Auslese on the steep Kiedrich phyllite slope.

Tasting notes: Robert Weil's Graefenberg Auslese: botrytised stone-fruit concentration with honey and smoky slate, balanced by racy Kiedrich acidity. Source: weingut-robert-weil.com.

Kiedricher Graefenberg Riesling Eiswein ★ 4.9

robert-weilRheingau Riesling EisweinRieslingapproachable from 10, cellar 10 to 60EUR 400 to 1500 at retail per 375ml

Robert Weil's Graefenberg Eiswein from naturally frozen Riesling berries on the Kiedrich phyllite slope.

Tasting notes: Robert Weil's Eiswein from frozen Riesling berries on the Graefenberg, with candied lemon and frozen peach over razor-sharp acidity. Source: weingut-robert-weil.com.

Hochheimer Hoelle Riesling GG ★ 4.8

weingut-kuenstlerstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 45 to 70 at retail

Kuenstler's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Hochheim Hoelle chalky loess slope.

Tasting notes: Gunter Kuenstler's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the Hochheim Hoelle chalky loess slope, dense, smoky and intensely savoury. Source: weingut-kuenstler.de.

Ruedesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling GG ★ 4.8

leitzstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 6, cellar 6 to 25EUR 60 to 95 at retail

Leitz's flagship dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Berg Schlossberg quartzite slope above Ruedesheim.

Tasting notes: Johannes Leitz's estate flagship dry Grosses Gewachs from the steep Berg Schlossberg quartzite slope, smoky, taut and intensely mineral with citrus drive. Source: leitz-wein.de.

Ruedesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling ★ 4.8

georg-breuerstill dry Rheingau Riesling single-vineyardRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 70 to 110 at retail

Theresa Breuer's flagship dry single-vineyard Riesling from the Berg Schlossberg quartzite slope above Ruedesheim.

Tasting notes: Theresa Breuer's flagship dry Riesling from the steep Berg Schlossberg quartzite slope, smoky, taut and intensely mineral with decades of cellar life. Source: georg-breuer.com.

Rauenthaler Nonnenberg Riesling ★ 4.6

georg-breuerstill dry Rheingau Riesling monopoleRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 45 to 70 at retail

Breuer's dry Rauenthaler Nonnenberg monopole Riesling on Taunus phyllite.

Tasting notes: Breuer's dry Rauenthaler Nonnenberg monopole Riesling: taut, spicy, savoury Riesling with Taunus phyllite minerality. Source: georg-breuer.com.

Oestricher Doosberg Riesling GG ★ 4.7

peter-jakob-kuehnbiodynamic dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 50 to 80 at retail

Peter Jakob Kuhn's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Oestricher Doosberg.

Tasting notes: Peter Jakob Kuhn's biodynamic dry Grosses Gewachs from the Oestricher Doosberg: dense, savoury, salt-driven Riesling under spontaneous fermentation. Source: weingutpjkuehn.de.

Oestricher Lenchen Riesling GG ★ 4.6

spreitzerstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 40 to 60 at retail

Spreitzer's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Oestricher Lenchen.

Tasting notes: The Spreitzer brothers' dry Grosses Gewachs from the Oestricher Lenchen loess and gravel slope: ripe yellow stone fruit and broad mineral palate. Source: weingut-spreitzer.de.

Lorcher Krone Riesling GG ★ 4.7

eva-frickeEU-organic dry Rheingau Riesling single-vineyardRieslingapproachable from 6, cellar 6 to 25EUR 60 to 95 at retail

Eva Fricke's flagship dry single-vineyard Riesling from the steep Lorcher Krone grey-slate terraces.

Tasting notes: Eva Fricke's flagship dry single-vineyard Riesling from the steep Lorcher Krone grey-slate terraces, cool, taut and racy with intense salty minerality. Source: evafricke.com.

Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Spaetlese Trocken ★ 4.6

weingut-jb-beckerold-school dry Rheingau Riesling Spaetlese TrockenRieslingapproachable from 8, cellar 8 to 35EUR 22 to 35 at retail

Becker's old-school dry Wallufer Walkenberg Spaetlese Trocken Riesling.

Tasting notes: Hans-Josef Becker's old-school dry Spaetlese Trocken from the Wallufer Walkenberg: dense, savoury, slate-driven Riesling built for decades-long cellar life. Source: jbbecker.de.

Hochheimer Domdechaney Riesling GG ★ 4.6

domdechant-wernerstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 42 to 65 at retail

Domdechant Werner's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Hochheimer Domdechaney.

Tasting notes: Domdechant Werner's dry Grosses Gewachs from the Hochheim Domdechaney chalky loess slope: broad, ripe and mineral with yellow stone fruit and smoke. Source: domdechantwerner.com.

Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder GG ★ 4.8

weingut-krone-assmannshausenstill dry Rheingau Spaetburgunder Grosses GewachsSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 6, cellar 6 to 28EUR 60 to 100 at retail

Weingut Krone's dry Grosses Gewachs Spaetburgunder from the Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg.

Tasting notes: Weingut Krone's dry Grosses Gewachs Spaetburgunder from the red phyllite slate of the Hoellenberg: pure red cherry, rose petal and savoury herbs with fine slaty grip. Source: weingut-krone.de.

Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder GG ★ 4.8

august-kesselerstill dry Rheingau Spaetburgunder Grosses GewachsSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 6, cellar 6 to 30EUR 65 to 110 at retail

August Kesseler's dry Grosses Gewachs Spaetburgunder from the Hoellenberg red phyllite slate.

Tasting notes: August Kesseler's dry Grosses Gewachs Pinot Noir from the red phyllite slate of the Hoellenberg, with dense red cherry, smoky slate and refined tannin. Source: august-kesseler.de.

R Spaetburgunder ★ 4.8

august-kesselerstill dry Rheingau Spaetburgunder reserveSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 8, cellar 8 to 30EUR 90 to 160 at retail

Kesseler's R reserve Spaetburgunder cuvee, made in top vintages.

Tasting notes: Kesseler's R reserve Spaetburgunder: dense barrel-aged Pinot Noir with dark cherry, smoky slate and firm tannin built for long cellaring. Source: august-kesseler.de.

Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder ★ 4.6

chat-sauvagestill dry Rheingau Spaetburgunder whole-clusterSpatburgunder (Pinot Noir)approachable from 5, cellar 5 to 20EUR 50 to 85 at retail

Chat Sauvage's whole-cluster Assmannshaeuser Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder.

Tasting notes: Chat Sauvage's whole-cluster Hoellenberg Spaetburgunder: dark cherry, smoky red slate and fine tannin from the historic Pinot enclave. Source: chat-sauvage.de.

Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling GG (Monopole) ★ 4.6

schloss-schoenbornstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses Gewachs monopoleRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 40 to 60 at retail

Schoenborn's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg monopole.

Tasting notes: Schloss Schoenborn's dry Grosses Gewachs from the wholly-owned Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg monopole: dense, smoky, savoury Riesling. Source: weingut-schloss-schoenborn.de.

Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Erste Lage ★ 4.5

schloss-reinhartshausenstill dry Rheingau Riesling Erste LageRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 25EUR 45 to 70 at retail

Schloss Reinhartshausen's dry Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling.

Tasting notes: Schloss Reinhartshausen's dry Erbacher Marcobrunn: dense, broad and mineral Riesling from the historic springwater slope on the Erbach bank. Source: schloss-reinhartshausen.de.

Geheimrat J Riesling Trocken ★ 4.6

geheimrat-wegelerstill dry Rheingau Riesling barrel-aged cuveeRieslingapproachable from 4, cellar 4 to 15EUR 30 to 45 at retail

Wegeler's barrel-aged dry Riesling cuvee Geheimrat J.

Tasting notes: Wegeler's Geheimrat J cuvee dry Riesling, named for Dr Julius Wegeler, barrel-aged and drawn from the top Rheingau holdings. Source: wegeler.com.

Sauvage Riesling Brut Sekt ★ 4.6

georg-breuertraditional-method dry Rheingau Riesling SektRieslingapproachable from 2, cellar 2 to 8EUR 22 to 32 at retail

Breuer's bone-dry traditional-method Riesling Sekt Sauvage.

Tasting notes: Breuer's bone-dry traditional-method Riesling Sekt: bottle-fermented sparkling with green apple, citrus and toasty lees-autolysis brioche. Source: georg-breuer.com.

Hochheimer Koenigin Victoriaberg Riesling ★ 4.5

joachim-flickstill dry Rheingau Riesling monopoleRieslingapproachable from 4, cellar 4 to 15EUR 25 to 38 at retail

Flick's dry Riesling from the historic Hochheim Koenigin Victoriaberg monopole.

Tasting notes: Flick's dry Riesling from the Hochheim Koenigin Victoriaberg monopole: ripe yellow apple and chalky-loess minerality from the slope visited by Queen Victoria in 1850, source of the English term 'hock' for Rhine wine. Source: flick-wein.de.

Schlehdorn Riesling ★ 4.7

peter-jakob-kuehnbiodynamic dry Rheingau Riesling reserveRieslingapproachable from 6, cellar 6 to 22EUR 60 to 95 at retail

Kuhn's biodynamic reserve Schlehdorn Riesling from the Oestrich holdings.

Tasting notes: Kuhn's biodynamic reserve Schlehdorn Riesling cuvee selection: dense, savoury, salt-driven Riesling with spontaneous fermentation and long lees ageing. Source: weingutpjkuehn.de.

Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling GG ★ 4.6

hessische-staatsweingueter-kloster-eberbachstill dry Rheingau Riesling Grosses GewachsRieslingapproachable from 5, cellar 5 to 22EUR 45 to 70 at retail

The Hessian state estate's dry Grosses Gewachs Riesling from the Rauenthaler Baiken.

Tasting notes: The Hessian state estate's dry Grosses Gewachs from the Rauenthaler Baiken Taunus phyllite slope: spicy, taut, savoury Riesling with kerosene-and-citrus drive. Source: kloster-eberbach.de.

Signature Wines in Rheingau, FAQ

When is the best time to visit Rheingau for wine?

Peak wine-travel season in Rheingau is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.

Do I need an appointment to taste at Rheingau estates?

classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.

What hours do Rheingau cellars and tasting rooms keep?

most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.

How does tipping work at Rheingau tastings?

tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.

What is the one wine to try in Rheingau?

If you only open one bottle, open Silberlack Riesling GG by schloss-johannisberg. It is the wine most associated with Rheingau.

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