H.J. Kreuzberg
H.J.クロイツベルク
A fourth-generation Ahr estate whose steep slate vineyards produce some of Germany's most celebrated Pinot Noir, rebuilt with resolve after the 2021 flood.
About H.J. Kreuzberg
Founded in 1953 by Hermann-Josef Kreuzberg in the village of Dernau, Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg has grown into one of the most respected Pinot Noir estates in Germany's Ahr Valley. A VDP member since 2000, the estate is now run by fourth-generation winemaker Ludwig Kreuzberg together with technical director Benno Wagner, farming around 9-10 hectares of predominantly steep and extremely steep vineyards on Devonian slate. Roughly three-quarters of the plantings are Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), complemented by Frühburgunder (Pinot Noir Précoce), Riesling, and small parcels of other varieties. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand and vinified traditionally, using spontaneous fermentation and ageing in old wooden Fuder casks and barriques. The estate holds parcels in several VDP.Grosse Lage vineyards, including Sonnenberg and Hardtberg, and its wines have earned strong acclaim, including the German Red Wine Prize in 2022 and Mundus Vini Gold medals. After the devastating Ahr flood of July 2021 destroyed the winery's cellar and facilities, the family rebuilt production — dubbed "Kreuzberg 2.0" — continuing a multigenerational commitment to expressing the unique terroir of the Ahr.
Who Is This For?
For those who appreciate elegant, terroir-driven cool-climate Pinot Noir, and want to explore Germany's often-overlooked red wine tradition alongside a compelling story of resilience and craftsmanship.
Wines of H.J. Kreuzberg
No cuvées registered yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Weingut H.J. Kreuzberg's signature grape variety?
- Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) makes up around 70-78% of the estate's plantings, grown on steep Devonian slate vineyards in the Ahr Valley.
- Is H.J. Kreuzberg a VDP member estate?
- Yes. The estate has been a member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), Germany's association of top-quality wine estates, since 2000, and belongs to VDP.Ahr.
- How was the winery affected by the 2021 Ahr flood?
- The catastrophic flood of July 2021 severely damaged the estate's cellar and facilities in Dernau. The family temporarily relocated production to Meckenheim and has since rebuilt the winery, a project referred to internally as "Kreuzberg 2.0."
- What vinification methods does the estate use?
- Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, fermented spontaneously without commercial yeast, and matured in traditional large wooden Fuder casks as well as barriques, combining old-world tradition with modern precision.
- Who currently runs the estate?
- Fourth-generation winemaker Ludwig Kreuzberg leads the estate together with technical director Benno Wagner, continuing more than 70 years of family winemaking since the estate's founding in 1953.