 His peers consider
Armin Diel is one of Germany’s most acclaimed Riesling producers. His family
has owned the celebrated estate of Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen in the Nahe
River Valley since 1802. Involved in the estate from the early years of his
childhood, Armin assumed management of the winery, a 12th century medieval
castle and its prestigious vineyards, the best known being Goldloch (pebbles),
and Pittermännchen (slate), in 1987. Ten years later, Armin acquired Burgberg
(quartz), another outstanding vineyard on the eastern side of Goldloch. All
three parcels have been classified on an official ground tax map in the highest
rank since 1901 giving them status comparable to a Burgundy Grand Cru.
Schlossgut Diel is international renowned for its white wines, predominately
Rieslings, across a wide range of styles. The intense Goldloch wines are
similar to the great Rheingau-Rieslings, the Pittermännchen Rieslings are more
like the refined Middle Mosels, and the Burgberg is a brilliant source for
great dry Rieslings. Schlossgut Diel is also highly regarded for its rare sweet
Eisweins and Ausleses. The estate is a member of the prestigious “Verband
Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter” (VDP) and Armin is president of the VDP-Nahe
section.
Armin is also one of Germany’s leading wine writers (though he never comments
on his own wines). He is co-editor of the German Gault Millau WineGuide and
writes frequently about French and German wines for Alles über Wein, Germany’s
leading wine review.
Armin and his wife Monika live in Burg Layen. He and his wife have a grown son,
Victor, and a daughter, Caroline, who just completed her studies in enology in
Geisenheim – Germany’s UC Davis equivalent.
Schlossgut Diel
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