The Society's Saar Riesling 2019

The von Kesselstatt estate, dating back to 1349, owns the finest spectrum of sites in the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer valleys. In 1978 the Reh family acquired the estate from the Reichsgrafen (imperial counts) of Kesselstatt. Annagret Reh-Gartner, a great and true friend of the Society who died in October 2016, was at the helm of the business, supported by her husband Gerhard, and was a welcome and regular presence at Society tastings. Since taking over the couple particularly concentrated efforts on lowering yields and improving quality to great effect.

The 36 hectares of estate-owned vineyards are planted exclusively with riesling on steep, stony soils where the warmth is maintained in the marginal German climate. Leading holdings include Scharzhofberger in the Saar, Kaseler Nies’chen in the Ruwer and Josephshöfer and Piesporter Goldtröpfchen in the Mosel. These are wines characterised by clean, ripe fruit, impressive balance of acidity and minimal intervention in the winemaking process. Fittingly, the wines are fermented with natural yeasts adding to their individuality and fragrance and kept on lees for extended ageing. The ever popular Society’s Saar Riesling is also made by von Kesselstatt from grapes grown on the Scharzhofberger and Wiltinger Braunfels sites.

The baroque-style Palais Kesselstatt in Trier’s old town houses a restaurant and wine bar where visiting members can enjoy the wines of von Kesselstatt. In summer, the terrace provides the ideal setting for appreciating both the wines and the historical surroundings of Trier itself.