10 Producers You Should Know to Get Into German Riesling

When it comes to Riesling, wine drinkers usually either adore or disdain the polarizing variety. Sommeliers and in-the-know hobbyists celebrate the grape for its razor-sharp acidity and bright aromatics, while skeptics shy away from the variety in fear of its occasional sweetness. But while some people have strong opinions on Riesling’s merits, others might not know the grape well enough yet to decide. And there’s no better place to get acquainted with Riesling than the steep slopes of Germany.

Riesling is the most planted grape in Germany, accounting for roughly a quarter of the country’s total plantings. The white grape originated in the Rhine Valley and was first recorded in 1435. The country is known for producing a wide variety of styles, from the dry bottles labeled Trocken to off-dry and syrupy sweet expressions. (While it can be helpful to learn the complex terminology of German wine law to decode each label, there’s an easy hack you can generally use to tell if the wine will be dry or sweet.)

Given the intricate labels and mind-numbing diversity of styles, German Riesling can seem intimidating to a newcomer. But for those looking to dive into the category, we compiled this list of some of the best producers to seek out to explore Germany’s distinct Riesling regions and styles. From the oldest Riesling producer in the world to 21st century newcomers, here are 10 producers to know to get into German Riesling.

Selbach

Drinkers looking to begin their German Riesling journey should begin with the Mosel. For an easy-on-the-wallet wine to dip your feet into the region, Selbach offers an incredibly inexpensive bottling that punches well above its weight. The estate’s “Incline” expression brings bright aromatics, crunchy green apple and lemon notes, a slate-driven minerality, and just a touch of residual sugar. Retailing for around $15, this bottle shows drinkers what Mosel Riesling is all about for a low price.

Weingut von Winning

Evidence of winemaking at Weingut von Winning, situated in the Pfalz region, dates back to 1718, though the winery wasn’t officially founded until 1849. Today, nearly 70 percent of its 124 acres under cultivation is dedicated to Riesling, and the winery provides a great entry point to exploring the rich, dry wines of the Pfalz. Von Winning is known for its use of oak barrel fermentation, adding a plush texture and subtle creaminess to the wines. Start with the estate’s entry-level “Winnings” bottling, which ranked on VinePair’s list of the 50 Best Wines of 2025 and usually retails for around $20. For further exploration, check out the site-specific Erste Lage bottlings that come from designated plots, with prices in the mid-$30s.

Weingut Dönnhoff

Like von Winning, Dönnhoff is on the more accessible side, with prices for its estate Rieslings hovering around $18. These wines provide a great introduction to Germany’s Nahe, a small winemaking region known for its diverse soil types. One of the most esteemed estates in Nahe, the Dönnhoff family has been cultivating grapes in the region since the 18th century. Dönnhoff’s wines undergo fermentation and maturation in both German oak and stainless steel vats, resulting in a variety of expressions that range from racy to plush. But across Dönnhoff’s portfolio is a consistent bracing minerality that comes as a result of the land’s high clay and slate contents.

Weingut Clemens Busch

Clemens Busch farms vines on the steep, slate-ridden soils located just off of the Mosel river. Almost all of the organic and biodynamic winery’s production is dedicated to Riesling. Clemens Busch Rieslings showcase the Mosel’s classic style, balancing sweetness and acidity in one easy-drinking package — usually landing at an incredibly palatable ABV of just around 11 percent. Clemens Busch gives consumers a chance to taste what Mosel Rielslings have to offer at a reasonable price, beginning at $25 for its Trocken bottling and going to $70 for its vineyard-specific expressions.

Joh. Jos. Prüm

Joh. Jos. Prüm, also referred to as J.J. Prüm, is a household name among Riesling devotees. The Prüm family has been making wine for four centuries and founded its estate in 1911. Now at its helm are Katharina Prüm and her father Manfred, who farm roughly 35 acres of steep vineyards. Made with spontaneous fermentation, the wines deliver a delicate and fresh character when consumed young. But for fans looking to dive a bit deeper, the Prüms suggest drinkers try the bottles with some age — the family itself lets the wines rest for at least 12 years before enjoying them.

Schloss Johannisberg

Schloss Johannisberg in Germany’s Rheingau region is widely considered to be the oldest Riesling producer in the world. The first documentation of winemaking on the property dates back to 817 CE, and it has exclusively produced Riesling since 1720. Its approximately 124 acres of Riesling vineyards stretch across steep hills — boasting a sharp 45 degree angle — giving the grapes ample opportunity to receive sunlight. As a result, Schloss Johannisberg’s wines walk the line beautifully between Riesling’s racing acidity and ripe fruit qualities.The entry-level bottlings are labeled as Gelblack and are often sold at local wine shops, though its more prestigious bottlings are more exclusive and are reserved for higher-end retailers.

Julian Haart

Julian Haart might be a German Riesling newbie, but the up-and-coming producer is a superstar nonetheless. After apprenticing under icons like Egon Müller, Keller, and Werner Schonleber, Haart produced his label’s first vintage in 2010. He and his wife Nadine farm just 12 acres in the Mosel, a mix between young and old-vine parcels. While the Mosel is the Haarts’ home and claim to fame, the duo also farms a few small sites in Rheinhessen, which they acquired with help from Keller. Julian Haart’s most accessible cuvées are his 1,000L, Moselle, and Riesling J.J. bottlings, which go for around $30 to $40. These vibrant, acid-driven wines showcase a dry, racy side of the Mosel, with crisp citrus and orchard fruit character.

Schäfer-Fröhlich

The Fröhlich family has been cultivating grapes in the Nahe region since 1800, and the winery Schäfer-Fröhlich was founded in the mid-1970s when two members of each family married. Tim Fröhlich took over the estate in the mid-1990s and is still at its helm today. Known for farming steep vines planted in a variety of mineral-rich soils, Schäfer-Fröhlich’s Rieslings are immensely crisp with a rocky edge and racing acidity. The impressively expressive, dry wines typically sell for around $30 and its more expensive grand cru bottlings can reach upwards of $150.

Weingut Keller

Keller is among the pioneers championing the bona fides of Germany’s Rheinhessen, a region that had long flown under the radar until recently. Husband-and-wife duo Klaus-Peter and Julia Keller helm the production along with their son Felix. The region’s acclaimed limestone soils impart a welcoming, floral quality and crisp minerality to the wines. In recent years, Keller has achieved a cult status among Riesling lovers and natural winos alike. Despite its critical acclaim, Keller’s Rieslings aren’t all impossible to get — its portfolio ranges from the lean, bright entry-level Limestone bottling to the coveted, splurge-worthy G-Max label.

Egon Müller

Perched on the steep hills of the Saar district in the Mosel is Egon Müller, one of the most iconic names in German Riesling. Jean-Jacques Koch purchased the estate from the French government and founded the winery in 1797. Sixth generation vintner Egon Müller IV is now at its helm. Egon Müller exclusively produces Riesling, but releases a range of cuvées, varying in levels of ripeness and residual sugar. The estate is behind some of the most expensive wines in the world, so Müller’s higher-end bottlings may be best reserved for true Riesling enthusiasts who are willing to drop thousands of dollars on a bottle. But it also offers entry-level bottlings that can be found for around or under $100 for those just beginning their Riesling journey.

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