Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling 2024 Carl Koch

Carl Koch

History

The Carl Koch estate stands as one of the most significant wineries in the Rheinhessen region, long regarded as Germany’s “wine reservoir,” historically focused more on volume than on quality. The Koch family has overturned that perception through a legacy of over 170 years, marked by passion, vision, and craftsmanship. The story begins in 1855, when Friedrich Koch established the first quinine production facility on the family property — a groundbreaking medical discovery against malaria. Thirty years later, his son Carl Koch returned to the family’s roots in viticulture, converting the estate into a full-fledged winery. On the hills overlooking Oppenheim-am-Rhein and Dienheim, he planted vineyards that would redefine the region’s identity. Today, under the guidance of Paul Berkes, the seventh generation, the estate covers more than 12 hectares, cultivated organically and certified since 2010.

Philosophy in the Vineyard

At Carl Koch, viticulture is guided by a profound respect for nature and the expression of a unique terroir. The soils, alkaline and clay-limestone in composition, give the wines remarkable minerality and aromatic precision, unlike any other in Germany’s classic regions. The vineyards enjoy generous sunshine overlooking the Rhine, nurturing Riesling, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and St. Laurent. Every decision is taken with ecological balance in mind: no chemical intrusion, manual harvesting, and low yields ensure the utmost purity. Each grape tells the story of its origin, allowing the wines to capture the true essence of their landscape.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, the work of young Argentine winemaker Augustin Nova (formerly at Kloster Eberbach) has propelled the quality of Carl Koch’s wines to stellar heights. Fermentations are spontaneous, and aging takes place in stainless steel, Austrian oak barrels, or acacia casks. Malolactic fermentation is never induced and is often avoided in white wines to preserve freshness and tension. Each technical choice serves a single purpose: elegance. The wines are refined, perfumed, and harmonious — more approachable at the table than many of their Mosel or Nahe counterparts, yet no less impressive in finesse and balance.

Identity and Future Vision

Carl Koch’s vision is that of a modern, mindful viticulture, deeply rooted in tradition. Every bottle reflects German precision and artisanal sensitivity, with time and nature as the core elements. Production remains intentionally limited, rarely exceeding 2,000 bottles per label, making these wines true collector’s treasures. The pursuit of absolute quality is paired with an understated, elegant aesthetic that honors the transparency of the terroir. Carl Koch continues to prove that Rheinhessen can stand proudly alongside Germany’s most renowned regions, offering wines that are elegant, harmonious, and profoundly authentic.