Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt - Riesling 1989-2018

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.

Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt has a particularly long history dating back to the mid-14th century when the von Kesselstatt family immigrated to Trier and purchased a vineyard.  Johann von Kesselstatt shortly became responsible for the cellars and overall housekeeping of the elector of Trier in 1362.  Thirty years later Johann’s son, Friedrich I. von Kesselstatt became court sommelier.  In 1776 the Kesselstatt’s were elevated to Reichsgrafen, Imperial counts, by Emperor Josef II.  When the elector of Trier issued an edict  in 1787 requiring inferior “Rhine varietals” to be replaced by “better grapes” he followed suit by requiring all of their tenant-growers to plant only “pure green Riesling”.  In the 19th century four former monasteries of St. Maximin along with their vineyards were purchased.  These holdings in the Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer valleys still comprise the estate today.