From a geological point of view the Zöbinger Heiligenstein is not only the oldest but probably also the most interesting site of our estate: the soil consists of about 270 Mio years old desert sandstone with volcanic inclusions, providing an ideal precondition for growing outstanding wines.

Beginning in the 1920’s, without the help of mortar wine terraces of natural stone were laid in the vineyards that now give the grapes for RS HS AR. Original Riesling vines of the Heiligenstein have been bred throughout the decades by cloning and layering. Today the old vines average 50 years of age with the oldest reaching as many as 75 years.

Older vines are less productive, forming fewer and smaller grapes that profit from a well-developed root system. This root system reaches deeply into the ground and supplies its fruit with potent nourishment. Consequently, wines of these vineyards are extremely flavorful with enormous concentration. The last part of the grapes has been brought in at the beginning of December, after a selective harvest that also earned us a barrel of Beerenauslese.

Yield: 2500 liters per hectare

Alcohol: 13,5 % Vol

Tasting note: still restrained , peaches and pineapple roasted almonds and honey as well as mineral flavors; Complex, yet still very young on the nose, very concentrated and rich in extract; full-bodied and potent but balanced with fresh acidity and extract,  pineapple dried abricots and white peaches on the palate very opulent and powerful though pure and precise, excellent grip, very long spicy and mineral finish, and again great potential.

Food pairing: classic Austrian cuisine, well-seasoned fish and white meat, Asian food, duck in different styles. A more mature sample would do very well with fish in cream sauces, etc.