Hochheimer Kirchenstuck Riesling Auslese
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 10–35 years from the vintage release, as its intense sweetness and high acidity allow it to age gracefully for decades.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Blue cheese, fruit tarts, foie gras
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Hochheimer Kirchenstück—literally 'church plot'—is one of the Rheingau's most legendary vineyards, situated directly behind the historic church of St. Peter and Paul in Hochheim. This site benefits from a highly favorable microclimate moderated by the nearby Main river, which protects the vines from late frosts and encourages the gentle development of botrytis (noble rot) in autumn. The soils here are exceptionally rich, composed of deep clay-loess, sand, and gravel with high calcium carbonate content. Weingut Künstler crafts this Riesling Auslese as a celebration of this unique terroir, capturing a luscious sweetness balanced by a striking, vibrant acidity. Historically, the wines of Hochheim were so revered in England that they inspired the term 'Hock,' a name popularized by Queen Victoria after her visit to the region's vineyards in 1850.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Re-established in 1965 by Franz Künstler in Hochheim am Main, Weingut Künstler carries forward a family winemaking heritage dating back to 1648 in Moravia. Today, under the stewardship of Gunter Künstler, who took over in 1992, the estate has risen to become one of the Rheingau's most celebrated producers and a prominent member of the VDP. The winery is renowned for its meticulous management of legendary Erste and Grosse Lage vineyards, such as Hochheimer Hölle and Kirchenstück. Utilizing traditional large oak casks alongside modern stainless steel, Künstler crafts exceptionally precise, mineral-driven Rieslings and elegant Spätburgunders that beautifully express the unique clay-loess and limestone terroirs near the Main river.