The World’s Greatest Riesling Partnership Turns 25! Chateau Ste. Michelle and Ernst Loosen Celebrate 25 Vintages of Eroica Riesling

Woodinville, Wash.

Two of the world’s great Riesling producers, Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washington state and Ernst Loosen of Germany, will mark 25 vintages of their visionary partnership with the release of the 2023 Eroica Riesling this fall.

Launched in 1999, Eroica is an intermingling of Old and New World philosophies and techniques with a blended statement of the finest Riesling vineyards in Washington. Named after Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica reflects not only its variety and site, but also its heritage: bold and forward from its Washington roots, elegant and refined from German inspiration.

Upon its release in 1999, Eroica set the bar for American Riesling earning a place on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list for its first five vintages. Eroica has gone on to earn 90+ points from national wine publications every vintage. When it launched, the partnership also introduced Single Berry Select, a decadent Riesling crafted in the traditional German Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) style which remains one of the few TBA style wines in North America today. The 2012 Single Berry Select earned a perfect 100-point score from Wine & Spirits magazine, making it the highest rated white wine from Washington.

“Eroica showed people what Riesling can do and we continue to push the boundaries on the diverse expressions of Riesling,” said Katie Nelson, VP of Winemaking for Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Ernst Loosen shares that it was a combination of curiosity and a happy accident that led him to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Washington 25 years ago. “I was looking to do a Riesling project in the New World, since I believed it would take New World enthusiasm to help us rebuild the reputation of Riesling globally,” explains Loosen. “An American friend of mine introduced me to the wines of Chateau Ste. Michelle and I was immediately impressed.”

“The climate and soils of Washington are different from Germany, but we had Riesling in common. I was interested in exploring what could be done with the variety in such a different environment. We’ve never tried to make a “German” Riesling but have been experimenting and trying new things to find out what works best for Riesling in Washington.” Over the years the partnership has evolved their techniques and discovered new vineyard sources to achieve their signature Eroica style of bright citrus fruit character with crisp natural acidity and enhanced minerality. The collaboration also added to the lineup the Eroica XLC, a dry Riesling lees-aged for more than 12 months in upright oak casks and Eroica Ice Wine made only in years when weather conditions allow.

“Ernst fundamentally changed how we grow Riesling in Washington state,” added Katie Nelson. “We are excited to continue our collaboration and sharing our combined passion for Riesling with a new generation of wine consumers. ”

About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chateau Ste. Michelle founded a wine region and we’re not done blazing trails yet. We honor our 57-year legacy of making world-class Washington wine, while taking bold steps to build our future with 2,200 acres of sustainably-farmed estate vineyards, state-of-the art cellar technology and talented, passionate winemaking team led by head winemaker Katie Nelson, with 30-years of Washington winemaking experience. Chateau Ste. Michelle continually strives to delight wine drinkers with an array of wine styles and memorable winery experiences, while staying focused on crafting award-winning, flavorful wines that are the ultimate expressions of Washington state.

Ste. Michelle has championed Riesling for more than 50 years and was among the first to plant Riesling in Washington state in 1965. Ste. Michelle catapulted into the national spotlight when its 1972 Johannisberg Riesling won the now-famous Riesling blind tasting sponsored by the Los Angeles Times in 1974. Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle offers up to eight different Rieslings, each showcasing the versatility of Riesling and the regional styles within Washington’s Columbia Valley, which produces more Riesling than any other American wine region. For more information about Chateau Ste. Michelle, visit ste-michelle.com

About Dr. Loosen estate
The Dr. Loosen Estate in the Mosel Valley has produced fine Rieslings for over two centuries. In his 35 years as the estate’s owner, Ernst Loosen has propelled Dr. Loosen into the upper echelon of world-class producers by adhering to a clear vision: a great wine should be true to its roots, vividly expressing its grape variety, geography, soil and climate. Over the last three decades, Ernst has traveled the world promoting the fine quality and long tradition of Riesling as a great wine in Europe, and now the New World.

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For further information:
Lynda Eller
lynda.eller@smwe.com