Wine News Buying Guides

The time is ripe for Grosses Gewächs®

by Klara Cech

13/08/2026

Prinz Salm winery is launching three VDP.GROSSE.GEWÄCHSE® that have spent ten years maturing perfectly in the cellar. The cool 2016 vintage was anything but straightforward and required particularly meticulous vineyard work at Germany’s oldest family-run winery. But ten years later, these Rieslings amply demonstrate the rewards of that effort, displaying lively acidity, complex aromas and unique mineral finesse.

Patience and hard work do pay off in the end: the 2016 Rieslings from the leading German vineyards, VDP.GROSSE.LAGEN® SCHARLACHBERG, KIRCHBERG and JOHANNISBERG are already in high demand. Riesling enthusiasts should be quick to secure a few bottles, as there is already considerable demand – the FELSENECK GG®, the estate’s fourth VDP.GROSSE.LAGE®, was already sold out before the official launch.

All three Rieslings, sourced from the finest vineyards along the Nahe and in Rheinhessen, were allowed to mature for a decade in the wine cellar of Prince Felix and Princess Victoria zu Salm-Salm. They are now being released on the market at their ideal drinking age although all three are guaranteed to have further ageing potential for years (or even decades) to come.

Felix and Victoria Salm — © Assunta Waldburg

The 2016 vintage: Much work, even more potential

2016 was “a year of two halves” for winegrowing in the Nahe and Rheinhessen, as Prince Felix zu Salm-Salm puts it. First, a late frost at the end of April caused numerous buds to die off, making it clear early on that the harvest would not come close to that of the previous year. The following two months were “unusually wet”, which meant that every dry spell had to be used efficiently to keep the grapes healthy.

Given the rainy June and what was an otherwise unusually cool growing season, the heat and dry conditions of mid-summer proved to be more of a blessing than a curse. With a little help from above, extra effort and particular care, the 2016 vintage ultimately yielded aromatic, healthy grapes with lively acidity in the cellar. Ten years on, it is clear that hard work was all worth it; the reward being superbly matured VDP.GROSSE.GEWÄCHSE® wines.

„Those who sow in tears will reap with joy“

Prince Felix zu Salm-Salm chose this psalm from the Bible as his motivational motto in 2016.

„Challenging vintages often prove to be outstanding in hindsight, provided one is prepared to put in the extra effort. Ten years on, the joy of these matured Rieslings has completely replaced the tears of 2016.“

Felix Prinz zu Salm-Salm

Available in the shop from 14 September

The VDP.GROSSEN.GEWÄCHSE® wines will be available from 14 September 2026 and can be purchased via subscription. Subscriptions can be arranged by email (weingut@prinzsalm.de) or via the website. The wines will be officially unveiled at the Open Cellar event (14 September) at Prinz Salm winery.

Prinz Salm GGs 2016 — © Prinz Salm Winery

Tasting samples available

A limited quantity of mature Rieslings is available for editorial purposes. Please enquire by email to k.cech@wine-partners.at.

Downloads

All press photos

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/prinz_salm__dsc1883_web__c_assunta_waldburg.jpg

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/prinz_salm__dsc3390_web_c_assunta_waldburg.jpg

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/prinz_salm__dsc7337_web_c_assunta_waldburg.jpg

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/salm_-johannisberg-riesling-gg_c_vioneers_2016.png

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/salm_kirchberg-riesling-gg_c_vioneers.png

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/salm_moodpic_2_ggs_c_assunta.jpg

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/salm_moodpic_ggs_c_assunta.jpg

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/salm_scharlachberg-riesling-gg_c_vioneers.png

/assets/news/salm-ggs-2016/downloads/prinz_salm__dsc0694_web_c_assunta_waldburg.jpg

Weingut Prinz Salm

Founded in the mid-12th century, the Prinz Salm winery is Germany's oldest family-run winery, now in its 32nd generation. It is managed by Prince Felix zu Salm-Salm and his wife Princess Victoria, who, together with their four children, shape the face of the family business.

When you hear the name ‘Prince,’ you might think of velvet, silk and glamour. For Felix and Victoria, however, it is slate rocks, vines and Riesling that define their everyday life. Felix took over his family's winery in 2015. His motivation: to preserve the vineyards, which have been in the family for more than 800 years, for the future in a regenerative and ecological way.

Klara Cech

Junior PR manager

As the offspring of a Viennese winemaking and Heuriger family, Klara is truly in the right place at Wine+Partners. A hands-on doer, she rolls up her sleeves and manages exciting wine and culinary clients with spirit and expertise. After completing her Bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications, Klara is now expanding her theoretical background with a Master's in International Winemarketing in Eisenstadt. When she finds a moment of free time, Klara loves cooking for her friends, staying active through sports, and showing her precision on the billiard table. She brings that same accuracy to her work — hitting the mark perfectly when communicating her clients’ messages.

k.cech@wine-partners.at