The Veldenzer Elisenberg Vineyard

The Elisenberg vineyard faces almost due south in the beautiful valley running from Mülheim on the Mosel to Veldenz; the 4,3 hectares of the steep slope are largely composed of grey slate and quartz. The microclimate resembles that of the Ruwer valley and gives the Elisenberg Riesling a unique minerally character, quite different from that of the more flowery Middle Mosel wines.

Napoleon crossed the Mosel at Mülheim in October 1813 with the remnants of his army on his retreat after his defeat at the battle of Leipzig. Franz Ludwig Niessen, 5th generation ancestor of Dr. Dirk Richter, agreed to make a personal payment of 3,000 Tahlers to Napoleon to prevent him from sacking Mülheim and Veldenz. In thanks, the commune gave the whole of the Elisenberg slope to him. The vineyard was named after Queen Louise of Prussia, mother of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV and Emperor Wilhelm I. She was very active in opposing Napleon and enjoyed great popularity in Germany.

The reputation of the Veldenzer Elisenberg vineyard was established when the wines won many awards in the first wine competitions, which were held in the 1850s and 1860s and by the time of the classification of the wines of the Mosel in 1885 it was ranked a First Growth together with Brauneberg, Wehlen, Graach, Piesport and Scharzhofberg.

Stuart Pigott, the most knowledgeable wine writer, considers the Veldenzer Elisenberg to be among the top quality sites in Mosel-Saar-Ruwer. The Elisenberg Rieslings have aromas of the red peaches which flourish in the vineyards and hints of gooseberries, with concentrated citrus flavours, grapefruit and even blackcurrant from very ripe, late-picked grapes. They all have a long after-taste and great ageing potential.