In case you aren’t subscribing to the Gut Hermannsberg Newsletter, we are republishing the December edition here from Achim Kirchner, GM at the estate with updates on the 2024 harvest, Auction wines, Wine Critic reviews and the teams recommendations on wines and offers (available in Germany only).
Happy Reading!
Jan
Dear Riesling friends,
the year is coming to an end, and we would like to inform you about all the exciting things happening at Gut Hermannsberg.
Harvest Report
It is somewhat ironic that climate change in viticulture is primarily associated with frost damage. The early bud break is the problem. We had to experience this very painfully in April 2024. So early in the year, a large part of the harvest was lost to frost, and we could only expect very small quantities in the autumn. The weather conditions, especially leading up to the harvest, were the next challenge for our team. We meticulously selected grapes in several picking rounds to ensure we were harvesting at the optimal ripeness in the right parcels.
The good news is that we will be able to offer estate wines of excellent quality. It was a very labor-intensive autumn for our picking team, whose work makes the difference and secures the quality. However, we could only harvest a few barrels of wine that meet our standards for a Grosses Gewächs. In spring, we will see if we can offer Grosses Gewächs from the 2024 vintage. We will inform you about this as soon as possible.
A special benefit for the fans of Gut Hermannsberg’s Grosses Gewächs wines are the RESERVE wines with 5 years of aging. In September next year, the Kupfergrube and Hermannsberg RESERVE from 2020 will be released, with truly exceptional quality.
VDP Auction in Bad Kreuznach
Although we too are feeling the challenging market conditions, the demand for the finest wines remains strong. Our 2017 VDP.Sekt Prestige Kupfergrube extra brut achieved a new record result at the VDP auction in Bad Kreuznach, with a price of € 80 net.
The perfect sparkling wine for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Wine Critic Review
The wine press is enthusiastic about the 2023 Hermannsberg wines. James Suckling calls it the best vintage since the estate was taken over by the Reidel family in 2009. The 2019 Kupfergrube RESERVE received an impressive 98 points. It’s also always exciting for us to see how the entry-level wine into the Gut Hermannsberg Riesling philosophy is regarded, the 2023 7Terroirs Riesling. Suckling awarded it 94 points!
Gault Millau writes about the same wine: “What a stunning entry into the collection” (4.5 grapes). Additionally, 4 wines received the highest score (5 grapes), 6 wines earned 4.5 grapes, and 1 wine received 4 grapes.
Falstaff awarded 93 points to the 7Terroirs and wrote about Gut Hermannsberg: “The interplay of top-quality terroir, subtle vinification, and perfect aging results in a spectacular wine full of power and minerality.”
In the 2024 Lagencup of Gourmetwelten, Gut Hermannsberg was named “Winery of the Year”!
Feinschmecker repeatedly awarded the highest score to the estate.
In a rise of recognition, the Vinum Wine Guide now rates Gut Hermannsberg 4.5 out of 5 stars and honors the 2019 Kupfergrube RESERVE for the second year in a row as “Riesling of the Year” – 5 years later – with 98 points (Fritz-Knorr-Trophy). For us, perhaps the most significant recognition, as it is another testament to the aging potential of the Gut Hermannsberg wines.
Our recommendations for you
Due to our late bottling of the excellent 2023 vintage, most of the wines have only recently been released and are still widely available. In particular, the village wines from Kupfergrube 2023 Vom Vulkan and 2023 Vom Schiefer (100% from Hermannsberg) are now showing their true potential. Great value for money!
Winter Wonder Offer 11+1
Our VDP Estate wines offer great enjoyment, combining the natural quality and character of the Nahe with the high standards of Gut Hermannsberg. Easy drinking at a very high level:
2023 JUST Riesling dry
2023 WEISSburgunder dry
2023 FINE Riesling off-dry
(11+1 offer valid until January 31, 2025)
We are, of course, pleased with the awards mentioned above, but what is even more important is for you to experience the collection for yourself. We warmly invite you to visit us at the estate for a B2B wine tasting at any time. I would be happy to assist you in arranging an appointment.
Despite the challenging circumstances, from frost to global politics, we are looking forward to the coming year with you and would like to sincerely thank you for your loyalty and good collaboration in the past year. Above all, we wish you, your family, and your friends a wonderful Christmas.
Kind regards
Achim Kirchner & das Hermannsberg Team
Geschäftsführer
