Von Winning Riesling Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Erste Lage 2024 white

Von Winning Riesling Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Erste Lage 2022 is a beautifully expressive Pfalz Riesling from one of the region’s most respected estates. Sourced from the warm Reiterpfad vineyard, classified as VDP.Erste Lage, it showcases how intensity, charm, and precision can coexist in a dry Riesling. The combination of sun-drenched slopes, sandstone and limestone-rich soils, and maturation in large wooden casks creates a wine that is both generous and finely structured, firmly rooted in the classic Pfalz tradition.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Riesling shows a bright, shimmering straw-yellow hue with green reflections, promising both freshness and depth. The nose opens with a vivid, almost exuberant bouquet: ripe stone fruits such as white peach and apricot, juicy citrus, and crisp apple, interwoven with floral notes of blossom and rose petals. Subtle herbal and mineral tones add complexity, hinting at the underlying terroir. On the palate, a fine impression of extract sweetness lends a sense of fullness and generosity without detracting from the wine’s dry, structured profile. The opulent fruit continues seamlessly, led by peach, lemon zest, and green apple, all carried by a precise, finely etched acidity. The texture is mouth-filling yet taut, with a pronounced, stony minerality that stretches long into the finish. This is a powerful, harmoniously balanced Riesling that can be enjoyed now for its charm and vibrancy, but also has the potential to age gracefully for 6–10 years, gaining more complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
The Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad is one of Von Winning’s warmer sites in the Mittelhaardt, benefiting from excellent sun exposure and well-drained soils dominated by colored sandstone (Buntsandstein) and limestone-rich marl. This combination produces grapes with both ripeness and tension, giving the wines their characteristic charm and harmony. Harvesting is typically done by hand to ensure careful selection of perfectly ripe, healthy Riesling berries. In the cellar, Von Winning is known for a traditional, minimal-intervention approach: gentle pressing, often spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, and maturation in large wooden casks (Stück or Doppelstück) rather than stainless steel. This élevage in old oak adds texture and subtle spice, while preserving purity of fruit and emphasizing the vineyard’s mineral character.

Food & Serving
This Erste Lage Riesling is a versatile food partner, ideal with refined yet flavorful dishes. It pairs beautifully with freshwater fish (such as trout or zander), ceviche, or sushi, as well as classic German cuisine like schnitzel, white asparagus with hollandaise, and poultry in creamy sauces. Its balance of richness and acidity also makes it a strong match for aromatic Asian dishes—think lightly spiced Thai or Vietnamese cuisine—and soft to semi-hard cheeses. Serve well-chilled but not too cold, ideally at 8–10°C, to allow the aromatics to unfold. A brief 20–30 minutes in a carafe can help the wine open up, especially in its youth.

Producer
Weingut Von Winning, based in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, traces its roots back to 1849 and is one of the most distinctive and quality-focused members of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter). Over the past decades, the estate has become a reference for dry, terroir-driven Rieslings from some of the region’s finest sites, including Reiterpfad, Ungeheuer, and Kirchenstück. Von Winning champions sustainable viticulture, low yields, and meticulous handwork in the vineyards, complemented by spontaneous fermentations and maturation in traditional wooden casks. This philosophy has earned the estate high acclaim from international critics and a leading role in redefining the reputation of Pfalz Riesling on the global stage.