Weingut Knebel

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Country of Origin: Germany
Location: Winningen, Mosel Terraces
People: Matthias Knebel, Owner & Winemaker

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If you approach the Mosel Terraces by train, you might find yourself instinctively pressed against the window, marveling as the tracks curl around the base of sheer slate cliffs lined with impossibly steep vineyards. This is where the Knebel family has grown grapes since 1642, and where, centuries later, Matthias Knebel continues to shape one of the region’s most dynamic and expressive Riesling estates.

Though he always imagined following in his father Reinhard’s footsteps, Matthias briefly reconsidered after experiencing firsthand the physical demands of steep-slope viticulture. Ultimately, the magic of wine drew him back. Before he could begin his studies at Geisenheim, tragedy struck: Reinhard passed away unexpectedly in 2004, leaving Matthias and his mother Beate to carry the estate forward.

Beate stepped in with strength and resolve, managing the estate for the next four years until Matthias returned in 2008. By 2016, his vision and dedication earned the estate membership in the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), Germany’s prestigious association of top-quality winegrowers.

Today, Matthias carries forward his family's legacy with a meticulous, low-intervention approach to viticulture. His wines—from village-level bottlings to majestic GGs—capture the intensity and finesse of the warm, slate-rich terraces, with a striking sense of texture, minerality, and purity. Matthias aims to produce deep Mosel Rieslings with fine elegance and expressive power. All wines, even the basic estate bottling, are sourced exclusively from steep terraces.

The vines include a significant proportion of old and ungrafted plantings. Matthias employs reduced pruning, natural competition, low yields, and strict selection to maintain balance and site expression. In 2012, he eliminated chemical herbicides, and the estate hasn’t used fertilizers in decades. Because vineyard holdings in Winningen are especially fragmented, the handwork required is immense—often double the labor hours of flatter sites. Still, he views this labor-intensive farming as essential to quality and authenticity.

Matthias is focused entirely on Riesling, and his bottlings showcase the specific character of each plot. Within his steep holdings in Winningen, each terrace reveals a different expression based on soil, aspect, and vine age:
• Hamm: herbal and spicy
• Brückstück: elegant and concentrated
• Röttgen: full of fruit and power
• Uhlen: succulent and dense

Only ripe, healthy grapes are used for the top cuvées. Pre-fermentation skin contact is sometimes employed, depending on the vineyard and vintage. All fermentations are spontaneous, and Matthias prefers stainless steel tanks for vinification and aging, which he feels best preserve the clarity and nuance of each site. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided but not prohibited. It’s decided case by case, just like maceration. Extended lees aging adds depth and balance across the range.

“We see ourselves as accompanists to our wines. We guide an idea, a concept of style. But we also allow singularities and edge to emerge. Each vineyard, each vintage, even each cask should show its own character. That means accepting what we’re given—not trying to force a big vintage leaner, or a lean one broader. In this way, we align ourselves with the philosophy of natural wine.” - Matthias Knebel

Mosel Terraces
Just downriver from the more widely known Middle Mosel, the Mosel Terraces (Lower Mosel) are warmer, narrower, and steeper. Here, the river valley tightens, and the vineyards climb dramatically, planted on step-like terraces of slate and quartzite soil that look chiseled into the land. These terraces not only make viticulture possible on sheer slopes, but they also guide vine roots deep into the rock, promoting development.

Historically, these quick-drying terraces were prized for their warmth. But in a warming climate, they now pose new challenges—increasing the risk of excessive ripeness, high alcohol, and loss of delicacy in Mosel Riesling. A new generation of growers, led by voices like Matthias Knebel, is embracing more sensitive farming to meet these challenges head-on while revitalizing the region with energy and precision.