With its near right angle turn of the Rhine from a northern to western course, this region easily stands out on a map. It is here, along this 30 km journey west before it veers north once again that the lion’s share of Rheaingau’s vineyards is located, soaking up the sun. This stretch also includes vineyards around Assmannshausen and Lorch. Hochheim on the Main river is part of this region too are the vineyards of Lohrberger just east of Frankfurt am Main. In all, this region covers 50 km encompassing 3,185 hectares of land under vine. Tightly packed with vines and wine-producing villages, we can vouch for the fact that this is ideal if you can only allow for a few days’ exploring. Tourist routes are clearly signposted; by car there is the Rheingauer Riesling Route, hikers can enjoy the Rheingauer Riesling Pfad and for cyclists, there is the Rheingauer Radwanderweg. Each offers you stunning vistas, picturesque villages and fascinating monastic ruins with top standard cuisines and Rheingau wine to enjoy after appreciating the regional beauty.
Despite is relatively small hectarage, soil types are diverse with chalk, sand, gravel, all types of clay, loess, quartzite and slate all contributing to the top tier wines that come out of Rheingau. Compact and enjoying excellent growing conditions courtesy of the protective forested peaks of the Taunus Mountains to the north and the heat reflecting Rhein, Riesling is the main grape in the Rheingau covering 77.7% of production. The region has a reputation for premier dry, peachy, full bodied styles of this favorite German varietal. Spätburgunder also flourishes here with a 12.2% share of production, making top quality expressions of this variety. We also enjoy Rheingau Müller-Thurgau.
Humidity from the Rhein creates ideal conditions for Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese sweet wines. Indeed, this region is known for producing some of the best in Germany. Rheingau Riesling Spätlese is also one of the finest of its style.