At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Primarily responsible for the Weinbach we know today, Catherine Faller’s mother, Colette Faller, was one of the legends of Alsatian wine. Sadly, Madame Faller passed away in early 2015 and, like her daughter Laurence and husband Théo before her, is now immortalised by a wine bearing her name. This comes from 50-60-year-old vines in the Bonnes Terres terroir, lower down on the Schlossberg slope, where the soils are deeper and sandier. The fruit here also tends to be picked a touch later. Accordingly, the register of flavours here (running from white flowers through to tropical fruits and citrus fruit zest) is more intense, yet the wine balances its power with great freshness and verve. Even though it comes entirely from Schlossberg, some of the vines fall outside the Grand Cru boundary, which is why it cannot be labelled as a Grand Cru. The domaine has now applied for Premier Cru status. But no matter, it certainly offers Grand Cru quality in the glass. Raised for 14 months in old oak casks, it’s statuesque and full of life, packed with the joie de vivre of citrus and stone fruits, salty minerals and a flicker of white flowers. The texture is generous yet stony and compact, and the palate glows with energy and tension with tingling rocky minerality and a nip of bite on the lingering, mouth-watering finish. Biodynamic.

TRIMBACH Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling, Ribeauville

Named of the sundial erected in the vineyard in 1842, Wehlener Sonnenuhr is the most famous vineyard in the Mosel. Extremely steep with optimal south-south west exposure, it yields fragrantly floral wines with ripe stone fruit aromas, underlying slately minerality and wonderful depth of flavour and structure. The Spatlese wines are very reticent in youth, blossoming between two and four years of age to display vibrant green apple, and white stone-fruit notes supported by a backbone of racy acidity.

Named after the sundial erected in the vineyard in 1842, Wehlener Sonnenuhr is the most famous vineyard in the Mosel. J.J Prüm owns five hectares of this precious vineyard. Extremely steep with optimal south-south west exposure, it yields fragrantly floral wines with ripe stone fruit aromas, underlying slately minerality and wonderful depth of flavour and structure. The Auslese wines are typically more reticent when young showing vivid crystalline citrus fruit and a backbone of tingling minerally acidity that will carry it gracefully for decades.

Salomon Undhof is a family-owned winery established in 1792 in Stein on the Danube River, Austria. The vineyard area is 30 hectares, and the Salomon family owns vineyards planted with Riesling and Grüner Veltliner in equal amounts, as well as a small amount of Gelber Traminer. The winery uses gravity throughout the winemaking process, with hand-harvested grapes going directly to the de-stemmer or press for 3-12 hours of skin contact for single vineyard wines. All grapes are harvested traditionally by hand only. Salomon Undhof produces about 12,000 dozen bottles of wine each year, with a range of wines that have great power and complexity, yet with lovely finesse and a striking mineral personality. Kremstal wine region is a fascinating and historic wine-growing area in northern Austria, one of five wine regions extending on either side of the Danube river. The vineyards are centered around the town of Krems, downstream of Wachau DAC and boast ancient monastic vineyards and ruined thousand-year-old terraced vineyards on the slope of the valley plunging into the Krems river, joining the Danube river just east of town. This region is one of the most challenging and rewarding wine-growing areas in Europe and has been the heart of the wine trade in Austria. Kremstal wine region is Austria's smallest wine area, with only 2250 hectares of grapes accounting for 5% of Austrian wine production. The terrain and environment allow vines to perform to their full potential, with Gruner Veltliner accounting for around 60% of the vineyards in the Kremstal wine area. Riesling is another noteworthy grape in the region, accounting for 10% of output and being distinctive and rated the best in Austria. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Zweigelt, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are among notable varietals. The Kremstal wine region has a rich history dating back over a thousand years, with winemaking and viticultural tradition. UNESCO has declared Krems' old town as a World Heritage Site. Located in Kremstal, Austria, the Pfaffenberg wine area is renowned for producing some of the best Riesling wines in the country. The wines from this area are known for their great purity and long-term aging potential. The Pfaffenberg is considered one of the best places for Riesling in the entire country due to its ideal soil and climate conditions. The urgestein (primary rock) soils in the vineyards of Pfaffenberg are perfectly suited to Riesling, resulting in wines with a striking mineral personality. Austrian Riesling is a world-renowned white wine grape variety that is highly prized in the wine-growing regions along the Danube river and its tributaries. The earliest documentation of the name was in 1435 in Rüsselsheim and the variety was probably taken from wild vines on the Oberrhein (the Upper Rhine). Riesling is a late-maturing variety, yielding highly ripe grapes in premium vineyard sites, especially in the wine-growing regions of Wachau, Kremstal, Traisental, Kamptal, Wien (Vienna), Wagram and Weinviertel. The vineyard area for Riesling increased steadily between 1999 and 2020, making it the second most important white wine variety in Austria after Grüner Veltliner. Riesling is a demanding grape in the vineyards, sensitive to grape stalk necrosis, stalk rot and grape Botrytis. However, when grown successfully, Riesling is known as the king of white wines, with flavors of lime, lemon and grapefruit and a signature vein of acidity that makes it unique. The Salomon Undhof Riesling Pfaffenberg 1ÖTW Kremstal DAC Reserve Alte Reben 2021 is a bright green-yellow wine with silver reflexes. On the nose, it offers yellow stone fruit nuances with subtle herbal spice, a hint of rosemary, notes of anise and delicate notes of ripe tangerines, all underpinned by smoky minerality. On the palate, it is complex and close-knit, with fine fruit sweetness and lively acidity. Notes of ripe peach are present and the wine has good persistence, secure development potential and great length. The fruit was hand-picked, crushed and macerated for 12 hours, then cold-settled for 36 hours. Wild-yeast fermented for 10 weeks in stainless steel, the wine was then matured over winter on fine lees. This wine is an excellent example of the quality and complexity that can be achieved from the Pfaffenberg wine area in Austria.

Domaine Trimbach, nestled in the heart of Alsace, France, was first established as a winery in 1626 by Jean Trimbach, who settled in Riquewihr and began the Trimbach families winemaking journey. Over four hundred years, through 13 generations the family's passion for viticulture has been unwavering. Relocating to Hunawihr in the 1840s, and settling in Ribeauvillé after World War I, where the winery is based today. Each generation continually honed their craft, ensuring Trimbach's enduring legacy in the world of wine, in particular Alsatian Rieslings. Domaine Trimbach's dedication extends beyond exceptional wines. Committed to sustainable practices, they have achieved certified organic status for all 63 hectares of their vineyards. These vineyards, spread across the picturesque villages of Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Mittelwihr, Kientzheim, and Turkheim, benefit from diverse terroirs, infusing each wine with unique characteristics. Domaine Trimbach's most renowned wines are the Clos Sainte Hune and Cuvée Frédéric Emile Rieslings. The legendary Clos Sainte Hune hails from 1.67 hectares of the prestigious Rosacker Grand Cru vineyard. Renowned for its elegance, minerality, and exceptional aging potential, this Riesling is a legend among aficionados. While Clos Sainte Hune was first produced in 1919, the first vintage of Cuvée Frédéric Emile was not released until 1967. The fruit is sourced from a contiguous vineyard plot that straddles the Grand Crus of Geisberg and Osterberg, overlooking the Trimbach winery and the town of Ribeauvillé. And with a few more hectares of vineyard behind it, Cuvée Frédéric Emile finds its way into the wine lists of top restaurants all around the world. Indeed, at last count it was listed in 25 Michelin three-star restaurants in France alone. Geisberg is the third smallest of the Alsace Grand Cru sites and is composed of many terraces over limestone and sandstone subsoil. In 2008 Trimbach were granted the lease of the holding owned by the Convent of Ribeauvillé, on the condition that both the village and the Grand Cru were recognised when selling the wine. The first release of this wine was from the 2009 vintage. Previously this parcel was dedicated to being assembled with with GC Osterberg into the famous Frédéric Émile. One of the three smaller Grand Crus in Alsace, it is only 8.53 ha. The Trimbach’s 2.6 ha plot is on limestone and dolomite marl soil, with old vines over 50 years old, small terraces with steep slopes facing south - creating a unique terroir. The grapes are selected at maturity then crushed and delicately pressed in a pneumatic press. Vinified in a dry style in stainless steel vats. No malolactic fermentation or long ageing on lees in order to preserve freshness, liveliness and fruity aromas. Bottled in spring following the harvest, then aged two years minimum in the cellar before release. Pronounced aromas of citrus, candied fruit, honey and bergamot. The acidity is precise and, coupled with optimal ripeness, provides a juicy sensation of fresh lemon. Fantastic energy and structure with saline mineral notes. Delicious in its youth, it is a wine that can be kept for over 20 years and which will then reveal all the richness and complexity of its terroir.

Maison Trimbach's viticultural roots can be traced back to 1626. For over twelve generations, the Trimbach family has been dedicated to producing exceptional Alsace wines, earning a reputation for quality and authenticity that has stood the test of time. They have patiently developed this reputation from father to son, with each generation building upon the successes of the last. Recently, the 13th generation of the Trimbach family joined the estate, bringing with them a renewed passion and commitment to the family's winemaking legacy. The Trimbach family's unwavering dedication to producing outstanding wines has made them one of the most respected and renowned winemaking families in the world. The Riesling Clos Ste Hune is a truly exceptional wine, grown on the Grand Cru Rosacker in Hunawihr, with a terroir that has belonged to the Trimbach family for over two hundred years. Covering 1.67 hectares, the vineyard benefits from a south, south-east exposure on a subsoil dominated by Muschelkalk limestone and yellow limestone, giving the wine a specific fragrance and remarkable concentration of fruit, enhanced with a refined hint of minerality at the end of the palate and an incredible length. With a small annual production of just 7,000 bottles on average, the Riesling Clos Ste Hune is a precious wine coveted by wine lovers and collectors worldwide. This high-class dry wine is racy, refined and elegant, with very ripe fruit and a very pronounced minerality that gives it its unique character. It has a signature of its own that is transcendent in great vintages, inspiring dreams with its harmony and exceptional capacity for aging. The Riesling Clos Ste Hune is a wine with exceptional aging potential, reaching its peak only eight to ten years following its bottling. It is a wine that speaks to the Trimbach family's dedication to producing exceptional wines, and its reputation as one of the world's most respected winemaking families is well-deserved. The Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling 2015 has a bright golden-tinged straw-yellow colour that is both inviting and enticing. The nose is complex, with notes of yellow apple, mirabelle, crystallized ginger and white flowers, all perfectly balanced by a lemony minerality. On the palate, this wine is dense, fresh and juicy, displaying an outstanding sugar-acid balance that is complemented by an opulent mouthfeel. The wine is nicely lifted by penetrating notes of mirabelle, lime, wet stones, lemon peel and almond, all of which come together to create a truly exceptional taste experience. The Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune Riesling 2015 is a wine that showcases the Trimbach family's dedication to producing exceptional wines that are both complex and balanced. With its outstanding sugar-acid balance and opulent mouthfeel, this wine is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the rich and layered flavours of a truly great Riesling.