Riesling isn’t for everyone. And I have a confession to make. Despite loving high-acid wines like Champagne and Nebbiolo, I am one of those people who has historically struggled to connect with Riesling.
That said, as a devotee of Champagne and white Burgundy, I’ve long respected Riesling’s intellectual prowess. I acknowledge that Trimbach’s Clos St. Hune is one of the world’s greatest wines, and I know that Riesling is perhaps the only white grape that truly ages alongside top Bordeaux—but frankly, it has rarely moved me emotionally.
Then I found Vollenweider.
The Estate: Historic Ground, Heroic Farming
This is not an ancient estate, but Vollenweider farms historic ground. The vineyards in the Wolfer Goldgrube have been cultivated since Roman times, evidenced by ancient presses discovered on the site. The late Daniel Vollenweider, and now owners Moritz Hoffmann and Vinzent Ewest, saw what the Romans saw centuries ago: the magic in these terrifyingly steep, grey slate terraces.
Farming here is "heroic" in the truest sense. It requires unrelenting man-hours and a complete lack of fear regarding plummeting into the Mosel River. These steillage (ungodly steep vineyards) and centurion vines contribute directly to the profound intensity of Vollenweider’s wines.
But here is the crucial distinction: This intensity is weightless. The wine doesn't sit heavy on the palate. Instead, it dances, driving a line of nervous, puckering acidity that defines a smile. These wines don’t just have flavor; they ooze terroir that seeps from each distinct bottle.
If you value site transparency, vine age, and flavor that resonates rather than overwhelms, Vollenweider speaks your language.
To illustrate how close these specific parcels are to one another—while simultaneously proving how drastically site dictates personality in the glass—I have included a Google Earth map below.
The Offer: The Vollenweider 2024s
I am thrilled to offer these wines today from a grower who has made me completely rethink the way I look at Mosel Riesling. Below are five dry wines from the current release that offer something for everyone, from the curious newcomer to the dedicated collector. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest wines of Burgundy, not just for their aging potential, but for that visceral, electrifying feeling only a truly great bottle can provide. That feeling that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Vollenweider’s 2024s deliver profound intensity, salinity, and vertical structure in every cuvée.
Weingut Vollenweider
2024 Goldgrube Unterste Jonpfad Riesling Trocken- 12+ btls @ $35.99/btl ($32.39 with case discount)
Sourced from a cool, west-facing parcel on grey slate with unique natural springs that keep the vines hydrated even in heat. This translates to a wine of striking energy, precision, and zesty aromatics. It is the most open and approachable wine in the lineup right now—bright and juicy—but still carries that signature Vollenweider saline backbone.
2024 Goldgrube Im Schöttel Riesling Trocken- 12+ btls @ $43.99/btl ($39.59 with case discount)
A new parcel acquired in 2024. It is higher elevation, steeper, and more sun-exposed than Unterste Jonpfad, sitting beneath a massive, heat-radiating rock face. This is a serious wine. Expect a darker, more powerful mineral core compared to the Goldgrube norm, with saline generosity and significant density. A powerhouse in the making. Consider this your 1er Cru Burgundy.
2024 Goldgrube Im Reiler Riesling Trocken, Mosel - 12+ btls @ $75/btl
Formerly labeled as the Grand Cru dry Goldgrube. This comes from ancient, ungrafted vines (up to 100 years old) in the heart of the site. Deep, powerful, and mysterious. It is incredibly backward right now, defined by intense minerality. An INCREDIBLE wine to put away and watch evolve for decades to come. I don't like to pick favorites but...
2024 Goldgrube Im Reiler Riesling Wurzelecht Trocken, Mosel - 6 btls @ $150/btl
Formerly known as "Aurum." A true micro-production (only 120 liters produced) from the absolute oldest, best vines in Im Reiler. It has an almost coiled, tactile mid-palate presence that speaks to incredible concentration derived from centurion, ungrafted roots.
2024 Schimbock Riesling - 6 btls @ $82/btl
A 0.5 ha monopole bordering the Wolfer Goldgrube, but geologically distinct. While Goldgrube is grey slate, Schimbock is red slate, planted to 100% ungrafted Centurion vines. This offers the dark density found in "Im Reiler," but presents it with surprising brightness, vibrancy, and lift. A monumental wine of power, depth, and broader structure.
As always, the easiest and quickest way to order your desired quantities is to use the links above. However, we are here for any questions you may have at shop@mwcwine.com.
