Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett

The Donnhoff Family is proud to call Oberhausen an der Nahe home. Running from Niederhausen to Schlossbockelheim, the majestic landscapes of the Nahe Valley have held sway over them for more than 250 years. The first official mention of the Donnhoff name dates back to 1761; the familys own history book details the early flowering of 1781 and the bumper grape harvest of 1784. Helmut Donnhoffs grandfather laid the cornerstone for the estates success.

Right from the outset Hermann Donnhoff (1880-1953) focused his attention on planting Riesling vines in prized vineyards, and by the 1920s was filling his wines into bottles and selling the finest of them by their individual vineyard names. They owe undying thanks to his son Hermann Jr. (1916-1991) not just for the cultivation of the "Oberhauser Brucke" site, but also for the construction of the press house in 1936 and the estates first cellar space. In 1953 the estate received a Merit of Honour from the government for its outstanding viticultural achievements.

The grandchild of the estates founder, Helmut Donnhoff, paved the way for international success by establishing an enduring quality and style in his wines. His vintages would in fact become a byword for renowned German Rieslings the world over. Following his training at his parents estate and university studies in winegrowing, he assumed responsibility for both vineyard and cellar starting in 1971. "Extraordinary wines are based on extraordinary vineyards. I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to acquire several world-class sites and in some cases to resume cultivation. It remains very much a privilege for me to produce wine from vineyards of such exceptional quality. Its more than I ever could have dreamed when I first started working." This deep understanding of grand wines and grand vineyards was passed on from father to son to grandson.

The fourth generation now holds the reins: Cornelius Donnhoff. He began his training in 1999 and, after a series of positions abroad, in 2007 returned to assume responsibility for the estate, initially for the vineyard and cellar, and now for all aspects of the operation. History continues, but the estate remains what it has always been: a family affair in every sense.

With its nine Grosse Lagen, counted among the absolute finest in the region, the estate today enjoys an excellent international reputation for its grand German Rieslings.

Riesling,

The Leistenberg vineyard lies in a small side valley of the Nahe just outside Oberhausen. The name is a double play on words. "Leisten" means "achieve" in German, and the Leistenberg perpetually lives up to its name. "Lei" is also a regional word for slate, and these warm, decomposed clay slate soils and steep terraced hillsides provide ideal conditions for Riesling to thrive. The southeast-facing slope basks in the morning sun, which dries out any excess moisture and promotes healthy fruit. The afternoon sun is less powerful, nurturing a long ripening period and moderate alcohol levels. An ideal vineyard for Kabinett wines of high minerality and sophisticated elegance.

100% selective hand harvest. Fermented and matured in stainless steel vats and large oak barrels.

Traditional, precise Kabinett with delicate slate aromatics. Nuanced finesse and spicy acidity.