We classify our wines in accordance with the four-level VDP classification pyramid. The hierarchy is oriented toward the quality of the vineyard site.
The key to the uniqueness of VDP wines is their origin. The soil, light and shade, wind, heat and coolness all contribute to making the wines exceptional and give them personality and character. The VDP classification is based on a clear philosophy: the narrower the origin, the higher the quality.
VDP.Grosse Lage®
Only the very best vineyards are awarded the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® designation, akin to a Grand Cru. These are the source for Germany's finest wines. The wines (VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS) stand for maximum quality, complexity, expressiveness, unique character and enormous ripening potential. In the Rheingau, only Riesling and Spätburgunder are permitted for cultivation at this quality level. The named sites strictly follow the boundary lines of the individual parcels. Harvest is performed exclusively by hand, with significantly reduced yields.
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VDP.Erste Lage®
VDP ERSTE LAGE® designates a first-class vineyard site with a distinct profile that has demonstrated the sustained ability to produce wines of extraordinary quality, year after year. Yields are reduced compared with Gutswein and Ortswein. In the Rheingau, only Riesling and Spätburgunder may be cultivated on VDP.ERSTE LAGE® sites. The wines stand out for their power, complexity and strong aging potential.
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VDP.Ortsweine
VDP.ORTSWEINE are comparable to a 'village' wine, sourced from traditional vineyards from that village and offering a clear reflection of its outstanding terroir. For this quality classification we use solely varieties traditional to the region, in this case Riesling and Spätburgunder. Ortswein are typical representatives of their places of origin and offer fine insights into the characteristics of the local vineyards.
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VDP.Gutsweine
VDP.GUTSWEINE are comparable to 'regional wine' in Burgundy, and in our case come exclusively from our own vineyards, even if they bear neither village nor site name. They are classic ambassadors of our estate-level wines, expanded to include a few more exotic choices. The Gutswein classification accommodates significant innovation in its composition, including blends and grape varieties not typically found in the region.
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