Weingut Markus Molitor is one of the defining names of the Mosel. From Haus Klosterberg in the Middle Mosel, Markus Molitor makes Riesling from steep slate vineyards, from bone dry to nobly sweet, alongside Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc made with the same precision.
Markus Molitor: the eighth generation on the Mosel
Markus Molitor took over the family estate in 1984, the eighth generation of his family to grow vines on the river. His aim from the start was to bring Mosel Riesling back to the era when the river's best sites were among the most sought after white wines in the world. Today the Middle Mosel vineyards run from Brauneberg to Traben-Trarbach, and since 2001 the estate has also farmed steep slopes on the Saar.
The international breakthrough came when Wine Advocate gave three Auslesen from the 2013 vintage a perfect 100 points, which earned him the nickname "Herr 300 Punkte".
Molitor Riesling from Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, Wehlener Sonnenuhr and other great sites
Every vineyard sits on slate, yet each site speaks with its own voice. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, on grey slate, is the estate's signature vineyard and the source of several of its most celebrated Auslesen, such as the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** in both fruity sweet and feinherb styles. Wehlener Sonnenuhr gives a taut, elegant Auslese*** Trocken, while Graacher Domprobst Kabinett Trocken shows how much clarity a light wine can carry.
Red slate in Ürzig and Erden
Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Treppchen grow on red slate, and the wines turn spicier and more exotic. Try a Kabinett or Spätlese from Ürziger Würzgarten, or the 2018 Erdener Treppchen Auslese*** for more concentration.
The Saar and Domäne Serrig
The Saar is cooler, and the wines from Ockfener Bockstein and Saarburger Rausch are leaner, with racy acidity and plenty of tension. In 2016 Markus Molitor also bought Domäne Serrig, a Prussian state domain founded in 1904 under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The vineyards were replanted, and the first wines, a Kabinett and a dry Grosse Lage from the Vogelsang site, arrived with the 2020 vintage and were released through the Place de Bordeaux.
Reading Markus Molitor capsules and stars
The colour of the capsule tells you the style. A white capsule means dry, green means feinherb (off dry) and gold means fruity sweet or nobly sweet. Pinot Noir wears a red capsule, and the white Burgundy varieties such as Pinot Blanc a yellow one. The stars after the Prädikat, from one to three, are the estate's own ranking within that Prädikat: three stars mark the strictest selection. So an Auslese*** with a white capsule is a powerful dry wine, while an Auslese*** with a gold capsule is a sweet one.
The cellar, Pinot Noir and Haus Klosterberg
All the wines ferment spontaneously with wild yeasts, without fining agents or enzymes. Most mature in wooden casks in a three storey vaulted cellar cut into the slate, resting on their fine lees for months. Beyond Riesling, Molitor makes Pinot Noir from Brauneberger Klostergarten and Brauneberger Mandelgraben, and Pinot Blanc Einstern* is a white for anyone who wants to step outside Riesling. Haus Klosterberg Trocken and Schiefersteil are an easy way into the house style.
At the sweet end you will find older bottles such as the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Trockenbeerenauslese from 1989 and 2003 and the Wehlener Klosterberg Eiswein from 1992 and 2007, next to Beerenauslesen from Trabener Würzgarten and Saarburger Rausch. Explore more in our ice wine collection.
Frequently asked questions about Weingut Markus Molitor
Where is Weingut Markus Molitor?
The home estate, Haus Klosterberg, stands in the Middle Mosel among the vines of the Wehlener Klosterberg. Find more German wine under Germany.
Which Markus Molitor Riesling is a good place to start?
Haus Klosterberg Trocken, Schiefersteil or a Kabinett from Graach, Zeltingen or Ürzig shows the house style without asking for years in the cellar.
How long can the wines be aged?
Spätlesen and Auslesen develop over many years. Beerenauslesen, Trockenbeerenauslesen and Eiswein often last for decades.
Does Markus Molitor make red wine?
Yes. Molitor makes Pinot Noir from Brauneberger Klostergarten and Mandelgraben, with a red capsule and the same star system used for Riesling.