Rheingau

Schloss Johannisberg: The Cradle of Riesling Culture Schloss Johannisberg is more than just a winery; it is a monument to viticultural history. Located in the heart of Germany’s Rheingau region, it is widely recognized as the first vineyard in the world to be planted exclusively with Riesling, making it an essential destination for any true wine connoisseur. A Millennial Legacy With winemaking traditions dating back to the year 1100, Schloss Johannisberg has spent over 900 years at the forefront of European viticulture. Originally founded as a Benedictine monastery, the estate underwent a historic transformation in 1720 when it was planted entirely with Riesling. This move forever linked the estate to the noble grape, establishing the global standard for the variety. The Home of the "Spätlese" Discovery Schloss Johannisberg is famously credited with the accidental discovery of Spätlese (Late Harvest) wine in 1775. As the story goes, a courier carrying the official permission to start the harvest was delayed for weeks. By the time he arrived, the grapes were affected by "noble rot" (Botrytis). The monks harvested them anyway, discovering that the resulting wine was intensely sweet and complex—a style that revolutionized German winemaking. Terroir and the 50th Parallel The estate’s vineyard is a single 50-hectare south-facing slope situated directly on the 50th parallel north. The Soil: A unique combination of Taunus quartz and loess, which provides the wines with a distinct flinty minerality and exceptional structure. The Microclimate: The proximity to the Rhine River acts as a thermal reservoir, protecting the vines and allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness even in the cool German climate. The Iconic Color-Coding (The "Seal" System) Schloss Johannisberg is famous for its unique classification system, which uses colored wax seals (capsules) to denote the different quality levels of its wines: Gelblack (Yellow Seal): Quality wine (Qualitätswein), fresh and fruit-forward. Rotlack (Red Seal): Kabinett, elegant and light. Grünlack (Green Seal): Spätlese, the legendary late harvest style. Silberlack (Silver Seal): Grosses Gewächs (Dry Grand Cru), the pinnacle of dry Riesling. Goldlack (Gold Seal): Trockenbeerenauslese, the rare and luscious dessert wine. Why Schloss Johannisberg is a Must-Know For users of GrapeYear, Schloss Johannisberg represents the ultimate intersection of history and quality. Under the shadow of its majestic palace, the estate continues to produce wines that are celebrated for their longevity, precision, and ability to age for decades, consistently ranking among the best white wines in the world.

Weingut Robert Weil: The Blue Label Standard of Riesling Excellence Weingut Robert Weil is a name synonymous with prestige, precision, and the highest expression of German Riesling. Instantly recognizable by its iconic "Tiffany blue" labels, this Rheingau estate is globally regarded as one of the finest white wine producers in the world and remains a favorite in the most exclusive cellars across the United States. A Vision of Quality Since 1875 Founded in 1875 by Dr. Robert Weil, the estate was built with a singular focus: to produce Rieslings that could compete on the world stage with the finest wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Today, under the leadership of Wilhelm Weil, the fourth generation of the family, the winery has reached an unprecedented level of consistency. Weingut Robert Weil is a proud member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) and is celebrated for its unwavering commitment to 100% Riesling production. The Crown Jewel: Kiedrich Gräfenberg The soul of Robert Weil’s wines lies in the village of Kiedrich. The estate’s most famous vineyard, the Kiedrich Gräfenberg, is classified as a Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) and is widely considered one of the best vineyard sites in the world. The Terroir: Stony soils of phyllite and quartz, which impart a piercing minerality and a unique saline character to the wine. Microclimate: The high elevation and steep slopes of the Kiedrich hills allow for a long growing season, resulting in grapes with incredible aromatic depth and vibrant, racy acidity. The "Blue Label" Style: Purity and Precision Whether dry or sweet, a Robert Weil Riesling is defined by its crystalline purity. The estate is one of the few producers capable of producing the entire spectrum of Riesling quality levels in every single vintage—from the crisp, dry Tradition to the lusciously sweet and rare Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). Aromas: Notes of white peach, green apple, and citrus blossoms, often evolving into complex flinty and spicy undertones. Aging Potential: Robert Weil wines are legendary for their longevity, with top-tier bottlings capable of evolving gracefully for 50 years or more. A Global Ambassador for German Wine Weingut Robert Weil has achieved a level of brand recognition that few other German wineries can match. Particularly in the American market, the "Blue Label" has become a symbol of luxury and reliable excellence. It is a staple in high-end gastronomy and a must-have for serious collectors who value the intersection of historical tradition and modern perfection.