Emrich-Schönleber

Emrich-Schönleber – World-class Riesling from the slate slopes of the Nahe

The Emrich-Schönleber winery in Monzingen on the Nahe is one of the very biggest names in German viticulture. The estate’s history dates back to the 18th century, when the Emrich family were growing grapes in the Nahe Valley . The decisive shift towards becoming a dedicated winery took place in the 1960s, when Wilhelm Schönleber and later his son Werner restructured the former mixed agricultural holding and steadily expanded the vineyard area from an initial two hectares. Today, the estate is run by Werner and his son Frank Schönleber, who have taken it to the very top of the world with passion and a spirit of innovation .

The estate cultivates around 22 hectares of vineyards, over 85 per cent of which are planted with the noble Riesling grape variety. However, it is the exceptional vineyard sites that make all the difference: the VDP.Große Lagen Monzinger Halenberg and Frühlingsplätzchen provide the raw material for world-class wines. The slate and quartzite soils of the so-called ‘Waderner Schichten’, the steep south-facing slopes with gradients of up to 70 per cent and the cool microclimate, with night-time cooling from the nearby Soonwald, create ideal conditions for aromatic, mineral-rich Rieslings.

The Halenberg deserves a special mention: over 60 per cent of this legendary vineyard belongs to the estate. An extremely steep, prime plot known as ‘Auf der Ley’ was recultivated by the family and now produces the ‘Großes Gewächs’ of the same name, which Frank Schönleber describes as a wine with ‘a character all of its own, enormous precision and elegance’. In 2023, this wine was awarded 100 points by James Suckling.

The estate has been a member of the VDP since 1994. Frank Schönleber’s philosophy is clear: sustainability, authenticity and character – the wines should reflect their origins. In 2023, Gault&Millau honoured Werner and Frank Schönleber as ‘Wine Personalities of the Year’, and the most prestigious wine guides regularly award them top marks. With an annual production of around 140,000 bottles, Emrich-Schönleber remains a shining star in the German wine world.