Larger-than-life Armin Diel is well-known around Germany – imposing, opinionated and often controversial. He was co-editor of the most influential annual German Wine Guide, the Gault-Millau. He is a frequent contributor to German wine and food magazines and has done much to raise the standard and profile of German wines on the international stage. Not everybody’s cup of tea, but we like him. He also makes some delicious wines with the help of his daughter Caroline and his Kellermeister, Christophe Kern, who comes from a winemaking family in Wehlen on the Mosel.
The Diel family founded their estate in Burg Layen south of Bingen in 1802. They now have 16 hectares on one south-facing slope which embraces Pittermanchen, Goldloch and Burgberg. Although Riesling forms the heart of his collection, Armin believes great wines can also be made in the Nahe with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
