Künstler Kirchenstück Im Stein Riesling Erste Lage

A Riesling that shows what Hochheim is capable of: mineral, dense, with a precision that is rarely so directly noticeable in the Rheingau.

For decades, the Künstler winery has been one of the most reliable addresses in the Rheingau. Gunter Künstler cultivates his vineyards in Hochheim with a clear focus on terroir expression – and the Kirchenstück Im Stein is his flagship among the Erste Lage (Grand Cru) vineyards. The soil: heavy clay over limestone, which gives the wines a distinctive structure and depth that clearly differentiates them from the more slate-rich Mosel Rieslings.

In the glass, the wine displays aromas of white vineyard peach, ripe pear, and a hint of citrus bitterness. The acidity is present but integrated – not sharp, but a long, invigorating pull that carries the finish. It is dry, with a fruitiness that gives the wine a smooth texture without compromising its structure.

• Dishes: Fried pike-perch with butter sauce, veal medallions, asparagus with hollandaise sauce
• Temperature: 10–12 °C
• Drinking window: Now until 2032