Schloss Johannisberg is celebrating its “300 Years of Riesling” anniversary with a range of events
Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau region is the first Riesling estate in the world and now combines nearly 1,200 of wine-making history with exactly 300 years of world-class Riesling tradition. The estate with the oldest single-variety Riesling vineyard is celebrating its anniversary year with a varied programme of events and invites visitors to celebrate the popular grape and its many exceptional Riesling wines.
Exclusive Riesling grower since 1720
The Schloss Johannisberg estate can look back on an eventful history that has resulted in a unique wine-making culture: Established as a Benedictine monastery in around 1100, the Johannisberger Abbey quickly became the focal point and initiator of wine-growing in the Rheingau region. In 1716, the already famous but neglected vineyard was passed to the Princely Abbey of Fulda under Prince Abbot Konstantin von Buttlar, who revitalised it from the ground up and attempted a major viticultural experiment: He only replanted the estate’s vineyards with the noblest grape in the world, the Riesling. Around 300,000 new vines were planted over the following two years. This is how the world’s first cohesive Riesling vineyard was created in 1720. Real gems from 300 years of Riesling history.
To this day, the oldest Schloss Johannisberger Riesling – a 1748 vintage – still lies in the Bibliotheca Subterranea, the 900-year-old cellarium and the estate’s treasure trove. Alongside are numerous exceptional varietals, created by the estate’s cellarmasters over the past 300 years. One of these masterpieces is a 1920 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Goldlack, which was auctioned to a wine lover at Kloster Eberbach in early March for the princely sum of €18,000.
With their strong regional character, authenticity and individual appeal, the exclusive varietals from Schloss Johannisberg have a dedicated fan base around the world. They are found on the wine lists of the best restaurants in the world and regularly achieve top results and win awards at international wine competitions. In 2019 alone, the 2018 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Purpurlack Beerenauslese won the highest mark of 100 points from James Suckling, a renowned wine critic and former editor-in-chief of “Wine Spectator” magazine. In the same year, the “Best in Show” award at the major international wine competition Mundus Vini went to the 2018 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Grünlack Spätlese as the best German Riesling with its residual sweetness Schloss Johannisberg opens its gates in its anniversary year 300 years of Riesling tradition is the ideal opportunity to celebrate the vineyard and its famous wines. As a result, the estate is inviting guests to enjoy a number of appealing events throughout its entire anniversary year. Visitors can look forward to a diverse programme with a variety of cultural highlights, including an open-air cinema in the Schlosshof courtyard, as well as open-air concerts in the Cuvéehof courtyard.
Superlative wine enjoyment is of course the focus throughout. Fans of the Riesling
grape can experience this with exclusive tastings with masterpieces from the estate’s treasure trove, for example.
Visitors can get an overview of the celebratory events at www.schlossjohannisberg.de. Anyone wanting to be kept informed of the many highlights at Schloss Johannisberg can also request an events calendar from info@schlossjohannisberg.de or sign up for the newsletter.
About Schloss Johannisberg
The Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg’sche domain Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau is considered to be the oldest Riesling winery in the world. The winery combines tradition and craftsmanship with modern viticulture. As a founding member of the VDP, Schloss Johannisberg is one of the world’s most renowned wineries. The wines of the Riesling specialist can be found internationally at the first gastronomic addresses.
Further information can be found at http://www.schloss-johannisberg.com