Origin as a promise
What the eagle means
The VDP – the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates – is an association of around 200 top-tier wineries that have committed themselves to one thing above all else: origin.
The VDP classification does not categorize wine by vintage or sweetness level, but rather by how specific and high-quality its origin is – from the region down to the individual vineyard plot. The more specific the origin, the higher the classification.
You can identify these wines by the grape eagle (Traubenadler) on the capsule. Those familiar with it know immediately what it signifies. For those who aren't, the four levels are explained here – showing exactly where our wines stand.
- VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
- VDP.ERSTE LAGE®
- VDP.ORTSWEINdry
- VDP.GUTSWEINdry
FRUIT-FORWARD AND NOBLE SWEET: Classical predicates*
* Wines that are fruit-forward and noble sweet carry the classic predicates Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, or Eiswein. They are unique specialties worldwide. This is because, in comparison to other wine-growing countries, Germany's cool climate offers ideal conditions for producing fruit-sweet wines with simultaneously distinctive acidity. Off-dry wines are labeled as Qualitätswein at all levels.
VDP.GROSSE LAGE® and VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®
The essence of our passion
Reading and understanding our vineyards is something very special. They demand our full attention and reward us with wines of extraordinary depth and personality. Our VDP.GROSSEN LAGEN® belong to these unique sites. They are the best and most valuable vineyards in Germany – sites whose extraordinary potential has often been known for centuries and which rank among the great origins of the wine world.
For us, this is where the true passion of the vintner's craft begins. Every site is tended with the greatest care; every decision in the vineyard is made consciously. Much requires patience, though sometimes nature also forces us to act quickly; always with the goal in mind of crafting one of the best wines in the region, which reflects the unique character of this special origin – even after decades.
Our passion is the dry wines from these top sites. They bear the designation VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS® (GG) and represent the highest level that we as winemakers can achieve: uncompromising quality, lowest yields, selective hand-harvesting, and a dedication that goes far beyond the usual.
VDP.ORTSWEIN
The soul of a place in a glass
Every village along the Mosel possesses its own character. The soils tell a different story, the slopes catch the light in their own unique way, and every microclimate shapes the vines in an unmistakable manner. With our VDP.ORTSWEINE, we aim to make exactly this uniqueness tangible. They stand for authenticity, precision, and origin, combining elegance with drinking pleasure. For us, they are far more than just the second tier of the VDP classification pyramid – they are the most honest ambassadors of a village and the first step into the fascinating world of great wines of origin.
VDP.GUTSWEIN
Our handwriting begins here
A great wine does not just come into being in a top vineyard – it begins with the first wine we place in your hands. That is why our VDP.GUTSWEIN is much more to us than just an entry-level wine. It is the most honest calling card of our estate and the wine by which we measure ourselves anew with every vintage.
Precisely because it is meant to be drunk young and to delight from the very first sip, the Gutswein is among the most demanding wines we produce. There is nothing to hide here. Fruit, balance, drinkability, and precision must impress from the very first moment. This requires the utmost care – from the work in the vineyard and selective harvesting to the gentle aging in the cellar.
All grapes come exclusively from our own vineyards. They bear the signature of our region, our soils, and the experience we have cultivated over generations. Our goal is a wine that is authentic, clear, and vibrant – and one that shows from the very first sip what our estate stands for.
We are convinced: If a winery's entry-level wine is inspiring, then one can also expect great things from the higher origins. That is why we dedicate the same passion, the same respect, and the same commitment to quality to our VDP.GUTSWEIN as we do to our Ortsweine, Lagenweine, and Große Gewächse.
A VDP.GUTSWEIN should leave you wanting more. It should provide uncomplicated enjoyment while simultaneously revealing the unmistakable signature of our estate. It is our winery's first ambassador, because for us, quality does not begin at the top of the origin pyramid – it begins with the very first wine.
A VDP Member for Generations
Four Grand Crus from slate
Our place in the VDP is not a new one. Josef Milz was among the founding members of the association – the connection between heritage and quality is a family tradition for us, not just a label.
From slate to glass
Classification is not an end in itself – it is a guide to origin. It is best to taste the difference for yourself.
VDP.ORTSWEIN
VDP.ORTSWEIN
VDP.GUTSWEIN
VDP.GUTSWEIN
VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®
VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS®