We began our Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling with a visit of Weingut Joachim Flick in the easternmost wine village of the Rheingau region, the famous village of Hochheim am Main, the “Gate to the Rheingau”. In the 17th century Britain used the term “Hock” for Hochheim wines and later described all Rheingau wines as “Hock”. At that time, the wines of Hochheim were much more famous than Mosel wines and were more expensive than some of the finest Bordeaux.
Owner and winemaker Reiner Flick, along with his dog Horst, was our host.
We started with a cellar tour and then sat down for a tasting. At the end of the visit and on the way to lunch, Reiner Flick showed us his vineyards, including the famous Hochheimer Königin Victoriaberg.
Reiner Flick at the Weinbörse
We had already met Reiner Flick at the Weinbörse in Mainz the day before and tasted his wines there.
See: Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling
Hochheim in the Rheingau
Weingut Joachim Flick is in Hochheim (Wicker) in the Rheingau region. Hochheim is at the eastern edge of the Rheingau, well known around the world for its Riesling wines. Moving from Hochheim to the west, the fairly flat, dimpled landscape evolves into progressively steep slopes. It is a quietly beautiful region, rich in tradition.
Queen Victoria's enthusiasm for Hochheim's wines contributed to their popularity in England, where they, and ultimately, Rhine wines in general, were referred to as Hock. The third President of the USA - and notable bon viveur - Thomas Jefferson visited the Rheingau in 1788 and wrote that the wine of the "Abbaye of Johnsberg is the best made on the Rhine without comparison … That of the year 1775 is the best." He also referred to the Rheingau’s Riesling as the "small and delicate Rhysslin which grows only from Hochheim to Rudesheim". Impressed by the quality of the Rheingau Riesling wines, he bought 100 grapevines in Hochheim to take back to his estate in Virginia.
Even though it belongs to the Rheingau, Hochheim is actually situated along the Main River. Its vineyards have amongst the best exposure and climate in all of the Rheingau. Hochheim is just 30 Minutes away by S-Bahn from Frankfurt am Main central railway station. Coming from Frankfurt, you arrive in vineyards and it is a beautiful walk up through the vineyards to the village.
Weingut Joachim Flick
Weingut Joachim Flick is owned and run by Reiner Flick. The vineyard area totals 20 hectares with Riesling accounting for 85%. Annual output is 12.000 cases. Weingut Joachim Flick has been a member of the VDP since 1999.
Strassenmühle in Wicker
In 1997 Reiner Flick purchased a 700 year-old mill with a turbulent history – the Strassenmühle – and moved the winery to this location.
Reiner Flick: Just a stone’s throw away from the pulsating metropolis Frankfurt, one will come upon our wine estate in the Strassenmühle in Wicker, the gate to the Rheingau.
With its 700-year history and unparalleled ambience, the Strassenmühle is a good place for wine of exceptional origin. This is the residence of the wine estate Joachim Flick.
From modest beginnings a grand wine estate has evolved. Built by the Count of Eppstein, the Strassenmühle was first mentioned by Gottfried V as part of a donation on 13 August 1318. From the 16th century until secularization, the ownership belonged to the landgraves of Hesse. That is why the two lions have decorated our gate until today. The lion as a symbol for courage and strength - and as a symbol for our wines.
It is a long history. Since the year 1650 we have been winemakers in the little village Wicker. Nine generations ago, Johann Pillippo Flick was the first. Joachim Flick turned the viticulture into a full time venture. In 1992 Reiner Flick took over the wine estate and expanded it to its present size.
Today we cultivate mainly Riesling and Pinot Noir in a vineyard acreage of close to 20 hectars - from Wicker over Hochheim until Lorch. Pinot Gris and Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are delightful additions, should you not be in the mood for Riesling.
If the vineyard is the nursery of the wine, then the fermentation and the type of development are important for its maturing and shaping of character. We build new wooden barrels from our native Taunus oak in traditional craftsmanship. We lay great emphasis on regionality.
Excellent Vineyard Portfolio
The vineyard portfolio of Weingut Joachim Flick is outstanding and includes the 2 monopolistic sites, Wickerer Nonnberg and Hochheimer Königin Victoriaberg.
The Nonnberg - an eventful history and superb wines of the present.
According to a charter dating from 13 January 1281, the convents Retters in the Taunus and Tiefenthal in the Rheingau exchanged property, which documents the vineyard Nonnenberg (nuns’ hill) in Wicker for the first time. In 1791 the Nonnenberg is referred to as a vineyard with the size of 5 acres in best site and taxed by the city court with 3,500 guilders. Because of financial difficulties, the nuns’ ownership was transferred to the Dome chapter of Mainz.
Since 2004, Weingut Flick owns the vineyard. The extremely calcareous soil of this classified site produces great wines with superb minerality and long life potential.
The Victoriaberg - The British Queen Victoria and her love for Riesling wine.
In 1845, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert visited Hochheim and were led by our city fathers to "the most beautiful and best vineyard" of the district for a wine tasting. In 1850, Georg Michael Papstmann, the owner of the vineyard at that time, was granted the permission by the British Crown to call the vineyard "Königin Victoriaberg".
Until today the Riesling of the Victoriaberg has been served at many events of the British Royal Family, most recently when Queen Elisabeth II visited Germany along with Prince William and his wife Kate.
Since 2010, Weingut Flick leases the entire Koenigin Victoriaberg in Hochheim.
Tasting
We tasted the wines in the modern tasting room of Weingut Flick, with Reiner Flick.
The Wines Reiner Flick Poured
Reiner Flick poured 10 wines.
2018 Weingut Flick Riesling Classic
2018 Weingut Flick F. Vini et Vita Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Wicker Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Lorch Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Trocken
2018 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Riesling Trocken
2017 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Vier Morgen Riesling GG
2008 Weingut Flick Nonnberg Riesling R
2017 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Kabinett
2015 Weingut Flick Königin Victoria Berg Riesling Spätlese
Reiner Flick and his Dog Horst
Reiner's dog was with us during the whole visit.
schiller-wine: Related Postings (Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling - Published and Forthcoming Postings)
Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling
Attending the 2019 VDP.Weinbörse - Vintage 2018 - in Mainz - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling
Vineyard tour, cellar visit and tasting at winery Joachim Flick in Hochheim, Rheingau, with Owner and Winemaker Reiner Flick
FairChoice Certified Wine in Germany: Weingut Joachim Flick in the Rheingau
Lunch at the Weingut Schloss Johannisberg Gutsrestaurant
Tour and Tasting at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, with Christian Witte, Domaine Director– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany
Cellar visit and tasting at winery Geheimrat J. Wegeler in Oestrich-Winkel, Rheingau
Cellar visit and tasting at winery Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau. with Jan Christensen
Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Kloster Eberbach: Dinner, Guided Tour and Aperitif at the Schwarzes Häuschen in the Steinberg Vineyard
Wining in the Steinberg Vineyard– Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)
Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau: Lunch, Tour of the Abbey, the Steinberg and the Steinbergkeller, with Tasting - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch, Cellar visit and tasting at winery Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau, with Baron Knyphausen and winemaker Arne Willkens
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Tasting and dining at winery Kaufmann in Hattenheim, Rheingau, with Owners and winemakers Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps
Family-style Wine-pairing Lunch at Weingut Hans Lang - Kaufmann, with Owners/ Winemakers Urban Kaufmann and Eva Raps - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar tour, vineyard tour, and tasting in the vineyard at winery Laquai in Lorch, Rheingau, with Gundolf Laquai
Lunch at restaurant Altes Haus in Bacharach
Tasting and vineyard drive at winery Ratzenberger in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Jochen Ratzenberger
Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ratzenberger, Mittelrhein, with Jochen Ratzenberger - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Rhine River Cruise in the Mittelrhein Valley
Rhine River Cruise in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Guided tour of Eltz Castle
Tasting at winery Reinhold Franzen, Bremm, Terrassen-Mosel, with Angelina Franzen
Tasting at winery Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm
Tasting at the Legendary Weingut J.J. Prüm with Amei Prüm– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016
Wine-pairing dinner at winery Richard Böcking in Traben-Trarbach, Middle Mosel, with Owner Denman Zirkle
Tasting at winery Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Middle Mosel, with Ernst Loosen
Wine Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Ernst Loosen Presented his Wines at Weingut Dr. Loosen, Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel Valley, Germany
Weingut Dr. H Thanisch - Erben Mueller-Burggraef: Visit of the famous Berncasteler Doctor Cellar and Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. H Thanisch - Erben Mueller-Burggraef, with Ownwe Matthias Willkomm
The Wines of the Berncasteler Doctor, Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel Valley, Germany
Lunch at Restaurant Juffer Flair of Weingut Christian Steinmetz in Brauneberg
Tasting at winery Haart in Piesport, Mosel, with Johannes Haart
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Trier, Germany
Cellar tour and tasting at winery Peter Lauer in Ayl, Upper Mosel, Saar Valley, with Katharina Lauer and Peter Lauer
Lunch at Weinrestaurant Ayler Kupp at winery Peter Lauer
Tasting at winery H. Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, with Anne Dönnhoff
Wine Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Dönnhoff with Christina Dönnhoff– Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany
Visit and tasting at winery Dr. Crusius, Traisen, Nahe, with Peter and Judith Crusius.
Vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting at winery Kruger-Rumpf, Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe, with Stefan and Georg Rumpf
Tour, Tasting, Dinner and Overnight Stay at Weingut Kruger Rumpf, Nahe, with Stefan, Cornelia and Georg Rumpf– Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard tour and tasting at winery Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker
Winery visit and lunch at winery Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin Guntrum
Guntrum is Back (Stuart Pigott/ James Suckling): Wine Pairing Lunch and Tour at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Owners Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Mainlust “Desche Otto” – an Ultra Traditional Apple Wine Tavern, with an Innovative Twist, off the Beaten Track in Schwanheim, Frankfurt am Main, Germany