2022 Rebholz Im Sonnenschein GG Riesling

The Rebholz estate, located in Germany’s southern Pfalz region, is one of the country’s great pioneers of organic and biodynamic viticulture. Officially certified organic since 2005 and biodynamic since 2006, the family’s commitment to natural winemaking stretches back much further. As early as 1951, Eduard Rebholz championed a philosophy of producing wines free from chaptalisation, sweet reserve additions or other interventions that would alter their natural character.

Today, Birgit and Hansjörg Rebholz, together with the next generation of the family, continue this vision, farming their vineyards without herbicides, synthetic fungicides or mineral fertilisers and working in harmony with nature to preserve biodiversity and vineyard health. For the Rebholz family, great wine begins in the vineyard. Their meticulous approach centres on nurturing living soils and allowing each site to express its unique terroir with clarity and precision.

All fruit is harvested by hand, often later than neighbouring growers, ensuring optimal ripeness and site expression. The estate’s vineyards span three distinctive terroirs: the limestone-rich Im Sonnenschein, home to Riesling and the Pinot varieties; the colourful sandstone soils of Ganzhorn, renowned for its expressive Rieslings; and the dramatic red sandstone and primary rock of Kastanienbusch, widely regarded as one of Germany’s greatest sources of dry Riesling.

Across all sites, the philosophy remains unchanged: wines are never enriched or de-acidified, allowing the purity of fruit and place to shine through.

"Enveloping stone fruit aromas that span the entire range of these fruits, but there are also hints of mint and shiso leaf. Very concentrated and very precise, this has a staggering zesty freshness on the palate that grows in intensity as the delicate chalky minerality enters the arena at the spectacular finish. 

From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold."

98 Points Stuart Pigott | jamessuckling.com