The best MTB trails around Geisenheim

Around 1100: Founded as a Benedictine monastery. 1716: After destruction during the Thirty Years' War, the Prince-Bishop of Mainz purchased the ruins and had the baroque Johannisberg Palace built on the same site. Owners included the Prince-Abbots of Fulda and later the Prince of Metternich. Famous for the origin of the Spätlese (late harvest): In 1775, a delayed harvest was permitted for the first time → discovery of noble rot (Botrytis) → one of the most important moments in winemaking history! One of the oldest Riesling wineries in the world. Approximately 50 hectares of vineyards, exclusively Riesling. Specialty: high-quality Prädikat wines (Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein). Many vintages are among the top wines of the Rheingau.

bench was unfortunately broken from 🌲

Absolute recommendation!

A great location right on the banks of the Rhine in Rüdesheim. Here you'll find delicious regional wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and small snacks. It's a lovely place to chill in the afternoon or into the evening.

Statue of the Spätlese Rider in the farmyard of Schloss Johannisberg The Spätlese Rider is a figure from a local legend that is supposed to explain the accidental discovery of Spätlese wine at Schloss Johannisberg winery in the Rheingau. However, there is no historical evidence for this figure. The story of the Johannisberg Spätlese Rider demonstrates how an apparent catastrophe can lead to an epoch-making discovery. Unlike other Rheingau wineries, whose grape harvest times were dictated by the municipalities, the cellar master at Johannisberg once required special permission from the Prince-Bishop of Fulda, the then owner of the castle. In 1775, however, the courier sent out with the harvest permit was late. There are various versions as to why the return of the mounted messenger was delayed by 14 days. One version claims that the Prince-Bishop was out hunting and therefore unreachable. The other is that the courier fell victim to robbers and was captured. In short: The monks on the Johannisberg waited day after day for the harvest to begin, watching as the grapes on the vines became increasingly rotten and shriveled. When the rider finally arrived with the prince-bishop's permission to harvest, the harvest seemed ruined. Nevertheless, the monks conscientiously harvested the seemingly spoiled grapes. And soon the cellar master was amazed: The wine made from the rotten grapes surpassed all previous wines in quality. By chance, noble rot was discovered, a mold that can develop in grapes rich in Oechsle in mild autumn weather with early morning fog. Thus, the foundation was laid for the qualities of the Spätlese, but especially the Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, which have helped Rheingau wine achieve world fame. The cellar masters on the Johannisberg deserve credit for recognizing this coincidence and using it to improve the quality of their wines.

mega view of the Rhine

Quiet and idyllic, sit down and enjoy 🙂

The wine and sparkling wine shop sells all the wines and sparkling wines produced by the castle. The sparkling wine, ("Fürst von Metternich"), is a bit more expensive here than in the store, but it's made from Rheingau Riesling (from prime vineyards) rather than from the lesser-quality Rheinhessen wines.