Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Winery

Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Winery from Saarburg

The Zilliken winery, or more officially the Weingut Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken, is located in picturesque Saarburg on the Saar river. Over 200 years ago, Prussian master forester Ferdinand Geltz not only founded his own winery but was also a co-founder of the "Verein der Naturweinversteigerer Großer Ring," the predecessor to today's VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates), which even then set quality standards that contributed to the immense popularity of Rieslings from the Saar and Moselle regions. Today, daughter Dorothee and father Hanno Zilliken continue this tradition together with such success that they were named Winemakers of the Year by Gault Millau in 2017. Their dry and fruity-sweet wines are defined by mineral slate soils interspersed with medium-gray, fine-leafed Devonian slate.

Zilliken Winery – finest Riesling from the Saar

13 hectares of vineyards in prime Saar locations, such as the Saarburger Rausch and Ockfener Bockstein, are planted with Riesling and are cultivated exclusively by hand. It is here in the vineyards that the foundation is laid through nature-oriented viticulture for incredibly delicate, yet multi-layered and finesse-rich, long-lived Rieslings. These mature under optimal conditions of nearly 100% humidity and constant temperatures in old, meticulously maintained oak barrels in arguably the deepest cellar on the Saar, which spans three levels below the earth's surface. Zilliken Rieslings, which rank among Germany's finest white wines, are created through a combination of grape variety and terroir, as well as a high level of professional expertise paired with 100% dedication and an incredible passion for their work. You can buy their noble sweet Rieslings, such as the Rausch Kabinett, Riesling Spätlese, or Auslese, online here.