In an era when concentration, power, and ripeness often dominate conversations about fine wine, Kabinett succeeds through entirely different virtues. Precision rather than weight. Energy rather than richness. The ability to refresh rather than overwhelm. At its best, it delivers something that many wines strive for, but few achieve: complexity without heaviness.

That balance was on full display at the 2026 Sommeliers Choice Awards, where the 2023 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett Riesling, represented in the United States by Delicato Family Wines, was named Riesling of the Year after earning a Gold Medal and 95 points.

Image: 2026 Sommeliers Choice Awards - Riesling Of The Year - 2023 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett Riesling

The wine offered a compelling expression of both grape variety and place. Pale straw in colour, it opens with aromas of ripe stone fruit, citrus blossom, and wet stone. On the palate, juicy fruit is carried by vibrant acidity and a savoury mineral edge that brings both tension and precision. The finish is long, refreshing, and remarkably poised, delivering the kind of balance that has made Kabinett one of the wine world's most enduring styles.

For those familiar with Schloss Vollrads, the result is hardly surprising.

Few estates are more closely associated with the story of German Riesling. Located in the Rheingau, one of Germany's most historic wine regions, Schloss Vollrads has devoted itself to Riesling for centuries. The estate's documented history stretches back more than 800 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wine estates in the world. More remarkably, Riesling remains the singular focus of its viticultural identity. While many producers diversify their portfolios, Schloss Vollrads has spent generations refining its understanding of a single grape variety and the landscape that shapes it.

Image: Vollrads Castle surrounded by vineyards. Source: SCHLOSS VOLLRADS

That landscape is central to the wine's character.

The Rheingau occupies a privileged position within German viticulture. Sheltered by the Taunus Mountains and influenced by the Rhine River, the region has long been regarded as one of the world's great homes for Riesling. Its vineyards consistently produce wines that combine aromatic purity, freshness, and a distinctive mineral character, qualities that have defined the region for centuries.

Kabinett remains one of the clearest expressions of that heritage.

Historically, Kabinett wines are produced from fully ripened grapes harvested at lower ripeness levels than those destined for richer Prädikat categories such as Spätlese or Auslese. The style is celebrated not for power, but for transparency. The wines often showcase vineyard character with remarkable clarity, balancing fruit, acidity, and minerality in a way that feels effortless rather than constructed.

Image: Harvesting of Riesling at Schlossberg vineyards. Source: SCHLOSS VOLLRADS.

For sommeliers, this balance has become increasingly relevant.

As restaurant wine programs evolve, there is growing demand for wines that offer versatility at the table. Kabinett Riesling occupies a unique position in this regard. Its freshness allows it to pair seamlessly with seafood, shellfish, and vegetable-driven cuisine, while its aromatic complexity and subtle fruit character make it equally effective alongside dishes featuring spice, acidity, or richer textures.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards are designed specifically to identify wines that excel in these environments. Judged by sommeliers, wine directors, beverage buyers, and hospitality professionals, the competition evaluates wines through the lens of real-world restaurant performance. Recognition here reflects not only quality in the glass but also suitability for contemporary wine lists and hospitality programs.

The 2023 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett Riesling exemplifies many of the characteristics that continue to make German Riesling indispensable in the on-premise sector. Its combination of ripe stone fruit, floral aromatics, vibrant acidity, and savoury minerality creates a wine that is both immediately appealing and highly food-friendly. It is a style that rewards attention without demanding it, offering complexity while remaining refreshingly approachable.

Image: Jochen Bug, Chief Winemaker. Source: SCHLOSS VOLLRADS.

Its success also comes at a time when German Riesling continues to attract renewed interest among both buyers and consumers. As wine drinkers increasingly seek wines that prioritise balance, authenticity, and drinkability over sheer concentration, classic Riesling styles are finding new audiences. Kabinett, once viewed by some as a niche category, now appears remarkably aligned with contemporary tastes.

For Delicato Family Wines, which represents Schloss Vollrads in the United States, the award underscores the enduring appeal of one of Germany's most historic producers. For Schloss Vollrads itself, it adds another chapter to a story that has been unfolding for centuries.

The estate's unwavering commitment to Riesling is increasingly rare in the modern wine world. Yet it is precisely that focus that continues to define its success. Generation after generation, Schloss Vollrads has demonstrated that specialisation can be a strength, particularly when paired with an exceptional vineyard site and a deep understanding of terroir.

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The recognition of the 2023 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett Riesling as Riesling of the Year serves as a reminder of why the style continues to matter.

Great Kabinett does not seek attention through power or opulence. It succeeds through precision, harmony, and a sense of place.

The 2023 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett Riesling embodies all three, proving once again that some of the most compelling wines in the world are those that achieve the most with the lightest touch.

Header Image: (L to R) Jochen Eberbach, Field Operations Manager; Ralf Bengel, Estate Director; and Jochen Bug, Chief Winemaker.

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