The Schloss Saarstein winery is perched high above Serrig, a wine village on the upper reaches of the Saar. The lord of the castle is Christian Ebert, a passionate winemaker and enthusiastic hunter. His father Dieter Ebert, a farmer from Brandenburg, bought the old hunting lodge in 1956 after losing his property during the war. Thus, a farmer became a winemaker – from beet to vine, so to speak! The winery was built between 1904 and 1908 by an industrialist from Trier who wanted to fulfill his dream of owning a winery. He was immediately successful, as the winery was already one of the most renowned wine producers in the region 100 years ago and, consequently, was one of the founding members of the Großer Ring in Trier, from which the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) Mosel-Saar-Ruwer would later emerge. After studying viticulture at the famous university in Geisenheim, Christian Ebert took over the business from his father in 1995 and gradually began to discover the unique Saarstein terroir for himself. The winery is located on the edge of the Saarburg Kammerforst, on the top of a south-southwest-facing hillside, the Serriger Schloss Saarsteiner VDP. Große Lage. The winery's own panoramic terrace high above the Saar and the vineyards offers a unique setting for lively celebrations, as it provides perhaps the most beautiful view of the Saar. From here, the lord of the castle, Christian Ebert, enjoys the view over his steep vineyards, which directly adjoin the castle and thus give it a true "Château character." Schloss Saarstein owns a total of 11 hectares of vineyards, 95% of which are Riesling. The other 5% are divided between Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Auxerrois. For Christian Ebert, the age of the vines plays a decisive role in the quality of the wine, as he is convinced that old vines, with their naturally loose-berried, highly aromatic grapes, produce better wines. He knows practically all his vines by name, as he has cared for his Saarstein Riesling vines with dedication and passion since his earliest childhood. "Man shapes the mountain, and the mountain shapes man – and I live right in the middle of it!" is Christian Ebert's philosophy. And with success, because for over 25 years, Schloss Saarstein winery has been counted among the 100 best wineries in Germany, according to the business newspaper "Handelsblatt" and the specialist magazine "Vinum," alongside famous names such as Egon Müller and Joh. Jos. Prüm.

In the vineyard, Christian Ebert focuses on viticulture that is as natural as possible, forgoing the use of insecticides and artificial fertilizers. However, he does not seek organic certification, as there are years, such as 2016 or 2014, where the fungal pressure resulting from the warm, humid weather in summer is so high that the use of is indispensable. The Saarstein vines otherwise benefit from a unique microclimate with significant day-night temperature differences. On the one hand, due to the excellent exposure and the reflection of the sun from the Saar River, we have high daytime temperatures, which are stored in the gray slate soils during the day. On the other hand, the adjacent forest and the Serrig Bach Valley ensure that cool downdrafts from the Saarburg Kammerforst and the nearby Hochwald significantly cool the grape zone at night. As a result of the intense sun exposure, we have good sugar and thus aroma development in the grapes during the day, which can also be stored in the grapes due to the comparatively cool temperatures at night. In addition, the cold nights help preserve acidity, as it is primarily metabolized by the vine at warmer night temperatures. The result is grapes with pronounced citrus notes and a piquant, ripe acidity. These are selectively hand-picked in autumn and brought whole to the press, where they are immediately pressed. The wine is aged with natural yeasts in the cool winery cellar in stainless steel tanks. Here, the wines remain on the fine lees for a long time before being bottled.

Schloss Saarstein wines deserve the title: Classic Saar! They exude elegance and captivate with their delicate fruit and pronounced smoky slate minerality. The piquant acidity, in particular, ensures an incredible drinkability. The Schloss Saarsteiner Kabinett feinherb, for example, is the ideal patio wine for summer, as its low alcohol and refreshing aroma are a true blessing during the tropical summer temperatures of recent years. In addition to splendid off-dry wines, Saarstein also produces magnificent dry and noble sweet Rieslings, all of which, due to their classic vinification style, also possess immense aging potential!