Rauenthaler Baikenkopf Cabinetkeller VDP Grosses Gewächs

From the Rheingau to the glass: The Rauenthaler Baikenkopf is one of the great Riesling vineyards in Germany – and the Grosses Gewächs from Kloster Eberbach shows why.

Eberbach Monastery boasts a winemaking history dating back to the 12th century. The Cistercian monks once laid the foundation for one of Germany's most renowned wineries. The historic Cabinet Cellar, after which this vineyard is named, was once the heart of the monastery's wine production – today, the estate cultivates around 190 hectares in the Rheingau, including several VDP Grand Cru vineyards and Erste Gewächse (Grand Cru) sites.

The Rauenthaler Baikenkopf vineyard lies on loess loam soils with Taunus quartzite, its slopes descending steeply to the south. This combination of minerality and heat retention significantly shapes the wine's character: the nose reveals citrus peel, white peach, and a delicate herbal spice. On the palate, the firm acidity typical of Rauenthal comes to the fore – precise without being harsh. The finish is long, mineral, and marked by a subtle salinity.

Serving temperature: 10–12 °C. Drinking window: now until 2032+. Pairs well with pike-perch fillet with butter sauce, aged Comté cheese or vitello tonnato.