The Dönnhoff family has been making wine in the Nahe since 1750. Helmut Dönnhoff built the estate's international reputation over decades of meticulous work across some of Germany's most celebrated riesling vineyards, and the estate is now run by his son Cornelius. The range spans sites in Niederhausen, Norheim, Schlossböckelheim, and Oberhausen, producing riesling of remarkable clarity and aging potential across every Prädikat level. Their wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel, letting the terroir speak without interference.
Oberhäuser Brücke is a monopole for Dönnhoff, a small vineyard parcel directly opposite the historic Luitpold Bridge where the Nahe River runs through Oberhausen. The nearby river creates a distinctive microclimate, moderating temperatures and promoting early flowering, which gives riesling a long, even growing season. The soils are grey slate bedrock covered by a layer of loess loam, ensuring steady water supply even in drought years. The Goldkapsel designation signals an exceptional selection within the Auslese category, made from highly ripe grapes with a proportion of botrytized fruit, basket-pressed slowly and gently, drip by drip, without rupturing the skins.
The 2023 is concentrated and radiant, with green mango, passion fruit, honeycomb, and ripe apricot lifted by a vein of mineral acidity that keeps the sweetness in constant tension. Despite its richness, the wine has a slender, precise footprint. Cellar with confidence — Dönnhoff Auslesen of this caliber drink beautifully for decades.
