Hochheimer Kirchenstuck Riesling Auslese
⏳ Drinking Window
2025 - 2050
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Blue cheese, fruit tarts, foie gras
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Weingut Künstler was established in Hochheim am Main in 1965 by Franz Künstler, reviving a long-standing family winemaking tradition that originated in South Moravia before World War II. The estate rose to international prominence under the stewardship of Franz's son, Gunter Künstler, who assumed leadership in 1992 with an uncompromising focus on terroir-driven precision. Managing iconic VDP.Grosse Lage vineyard sites such as Hochheimer Hölle, Kirchenstück, and Domdechaney, the winery champions sustainable vineyard management, minimal cellar intervention, and extensive aging on the lees. Künstler is renowned across the globe for its powerful, mineral-structured dry Rieslings, magnificent noble sweet expressions, and remarkably elegant, complex Spätburgunder.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Riesling