Father and son team Thomas and Philip Nelles’ philosophy is “tradition obliges” – and there is plenty of that for a winery opened in 1479. With vineyards in the Heimersheimer Landskrone and Burggarten at Ahr’s eastern end, grapes are of premier quality and vinification is meticulous to preserve each wine’s terroir.

Sustainability is a key driving force in Nelles’ winemaking. The winery is a member of Fair ‘n Green and encourages all the little critters in their vineyards to find their natural places among the vines, enriching the ecosystem.

In the cellar, reds are barrel matured with “controlled inactivity” to capture the distinct quality and minerality of each vineyard.

Nelles produces 60,000 bottles annually and has been a VDP member since 1994.