Only a small selection of our wines makes it into the premium category . We like to call them "Kellergold" (cellar gold ). But what makes them so special, and how do we explain the price difference? Let's first take a look at the four Riesling wines that have achieved the premium designation from Graf von Weyher :
The dry Buntsandstein Riesling is one of our four premium single-vineyard wines. The sun-drenched southwest location combined with the sandy soil ensures its unique flavor . Of our four single-vineyard wines , the Buntsandstein Riesling has the lowest residual sweetness (while the Granit Riesling has the highest sweetness at around 9 grams per liter). But anyone who tastes this difference can confidently declare themselves a gourmet . No, the unmistakable flavor really does come from the rock . And from the fact that the wine is left on its natural lees for longer than all other varieties – several months in fact. This explains the price difference, but more importantly: This ensures a special level of maturity. This makes it more tightly knit, denser, and very harmonious in terms of sensory perception. Sounds unimaginable? Just try it. Because even words can't explain a melody.
Riesling premium wines
Riesling has been cultivated in Germany for over 600 years (it's hard to imagine what it was like before!), and the Palatinate is the largest Riesling-growing region in the world —our specialty, if you will. Our premium Riesling is made from the same grape as our other wines. The grapes are also pressed in the same way. The same alcohol content (13%), all dry. So, is it all just a marketing gimmick?
Nope. Anyone who knows anything about wine knows that the vine and its processing are just two of the important elements that make a wine. Two other important factors are the location and, believe it or not, the rock on which the vine grows! Riesling is a grape that adapts very sensitively to its environment.
At Graf von Weyher, we're quite proud to have four completely different types of rock in our relatively small area (because that's rare!): red sandstone , granite , marl limestone , and slate . The differences in the rock are actually quite visible to the naked eye. So, be sure to stop by our winery here in the beautiful Palatinate region and take a tour the next time you have the chance!
But back to the differences: The vines have to adapt to the subsoil , and this has a direct impact on the flavor. For example, red sandstone contains a lot of sand and many minerals, so it retains more water. This is quite relaxing for the vines in dry summers, especially compared to hard granite or multi-layered slate.
Granite, on the other hand, which is actually quite rare in Germany, has another advantage: when exposed to direct sunlight, it heats up considerably and thus stores the natural warmth for a longer period of time… which can be quite nice for the vines on cold spring nights!
It's relatively easy to understand that location affects the flavor : the more sun, the sweeter the wine. Our limestone marl and red sandstone slopes face southwest , meaning they receive ten to eleven hours of sunshine in the summer (and the Southern Palatinate is one of the sunniest regions in Germany, so there's plenty of sunshine!). Our slate and granite slopes, on the other hand, are south-facing and receive a maximum of eight hours of sun in the summer.
For our premium wines, we harvest each variety separately and process them with utmost care. The differences are truly palatable (and not just for true wine connoisseurs!). Try it out and find out which is your personal favorite Riesling. You can find more details about Kellergold in the individual wines.
This is what wine experts say:
"Vegetable to herbal citrus nose with peach aromas and floral nuances. Somewhat sweet fruit with lively acidity and a certain carbonation, dried vegetal to herbal notes, a hint of dark berries in the background, some minerality, slightly sandy tannins, some persistence, good to very good finish, again with a noticeable acid bite." wein.plus May 13, 2025
"The bouquet features aromas of orange jam, mirabelle plum compote, and warm brick. The palate is robust, medium-bodied with some phenolics and a present tactile minerality. The finish is full-bodied and dry, with a very pointed finish." Falstaff Wine Guide 2022
"Apple, verbena, and apricot on the nose, with lime zest, a touch of cumin, and anise. Relaxed on the palate, well-built, ripe acidity, balanced, and fine spice and mineral notes lining the back of the palate. Clear profile." Falstaff Wine Guide 2021
"A tidy, fruity nose with notes of citrus, lime peel, apricot, and floral notes. The palate also opens with citrus fruit, juicy and balanced with ripe acidity, a compact structure, a fine mineral undertone, elegant and stylish." Falstaff Wine Guide 2020
"Fresh and delicately fruity on the nose. Citrus and peach aromas paired with apricots and floral scents. Powerful, yet slightly playful, profound with a beautiful, very mineral acidity. Pleasant acidity and residual sweetness play on the tongue. Compact and complex, with a long, round finish. A wine with many facets..." Dr. Rolf Klein, experienced wine author and former editor-in-chief of the magazine "Weinwelt."
excellent vintages:
2019
( AP.No. 5073053 4521 )
91 points – excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2022
2018
( APNo. 5073053 9920 )
91 points – excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2021
2017
( APNo. 5073053 03716 )
91 points – an excellent wine, among the best wines of the vintage. Falstaff Wine Guide 2020
Vintage 2015:
( APNo. 5073053 03716 )
90 points at the international competition ' Best of Riesling '
Golden Chamber Prize Medal at the state awards for wine and sparkling wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture .