Germany in pictures

Christoph Schaefer and his wife Andrea of Weingut Willi Schaefer pose in front of the famous – and very steep – Graacher Domprobst vineyard in the heart of the Mosel. Having officially joined the family business in 2002 after work for producers including Saintsbury in California and De Wetshof in South Africa, Christophe represents part of the new generation of German winemakers preserving and improving the country’s high quality production.

Reinhard Löwenstein, owner of Saar estate Heymann Löwenstein stands outside his striking winery, which stands out from its traditional surroundings thanks to this artistic recreation of Pablo Neruda’s “Ode To Wine” around the exterior.

db arrived at Sekthaus Solter in time to see the wines being disgorged according to its self-styled “Methode Allemande”. With 10 hectares across Rüdesheim and Geisenheim, Solter is one of the very few sekt producers to have its own vineyards.

Across the river in Bingen, db paid a visit to Reh Kendermann, where we spotted this historic montage of bottle designs from one of the UK’s most distinctive wine brands. Sadly not featured is the next design in the pipeline: a bottle sleeve inspired by festive knitwear, which is due to launch in September.

Then it was off to the Nahe, where there was a chance to admire the Prussians’ dynamiting skills, transforming the rugged volcanic landscape on the left into the smooth vineyard site on the right. The property, formerly known as Gutsverwaltung Niederhausen-Schloßböckelheim and which features 30 hectares of “Erste Lage” vineyard, was bought in 2010 and is now going from strength to strength under the name Gut Hermannsberg.

Grinning against the gradient: (l-r) Victoria Moore of the Telegraph, db‘s Gabriel Savage, presenter Joe Wadsack and Gut Hermannsberg winemaker Karsten Peter.

Following dinner in the scenic riverside setting of restaurant Hermannshöhle, db spotted this little chap discreetly going about his business in the “höhle”.

Then it was back to the Rheingau for a visit to Weingut Georg Müller in Hattenheim. Having bought the property in 2003 from the nearby town of Eltville, Peter Winter has not only set about restoring the fortunes of its wine, but installed a series of atmospheric artwork in the cellar, such as this one.

In addition to visiting some of the rising stars of the German wine scene, db also took in a number of established leaders, including Weingut Robert Weil in this imposing setting near the Gothic church of Kiedrich.

And finally…ever wondered what happened to Crazy Frog? This macabre garden ornament at Heymann Löwenstein suggests he may finally have irritated one person too many.