Behind the Vines: Meet Matthias Knebel 

Welcome to #BehindtheVines, a series that profiles one producer from Bordeaux or Germany to give you a new perspective on the growers who prune, pick and package your favorite wines. This month, we’re highlighting Matthias Knebel, the second-generation German winemaker at Weingut Knebel. Situated in the picturesque Terrassen-Mosel, the estate—under Matthias’s guidance—is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of the region’s hallmark Riesling grapes, crafting low-intervention wines that uphold the highest standards of quality and viticulture.

Photo Credit: Peter Bender

Meet Matthias Knebel

Estate: Weingut Knebel 

Region: Mosel 

Focus: 100% Riesling 

Photo Credit: Weingut Knebel 

Background 

The winemaking roots of the Knebel family trace back to 1642, but the winery’s modern history began in 1989, when Matthias’s parents, Reinhard and Beate, established their own estate in the Terrassen-Mosel region, also known as the Lower Mosel. Growing up among the vineyards, Matthias’s future as a winegrower felt inevitable. However, as a teenager, he had second thoughts after witnessing firsthand the demanding work required to manage a wine estate with vines planted on such challenging terrain. Despite these doubts, he ultimately found his true passion in wine and knew it was the path he was meant to follow.  

Following Reinhard’s unexpected passing in 2004, Beate took over the management of the winery while Matthias completed his studies at Germany’s prestigious wine school, Geisenheim University. Upon graduating in 2008, Matthias assumed control of the estate and continued his father’s legacy. By 2016, his unwavering commitment to authentic viticulture and craftsmanship earned the estate membership in the VDP. Today, Weingut Knebel is renowned for its exceptional steep-slope Rieslings, celebrated for their complexity, finesse and vibrant character. 

Photo Credit: Peter Bender

Vineyards 

Weingut Knebel is nestled in the Terrassen-Mosel, an iconic subregion of the Mosel known for its steep, terraced vineyards. Millions of years ago, this area was covered by a vast ocean, leaving behind layers of sediment that eventually compressed into slate. Over time, these layers folded into the dramatic mountains that define the region’s landscape today. The creation of terraces and staircases built into the hillside made it possible to cultivate vines on these otherwise inaccessible slopes, where only the hardiest plants could thrive. Today, these terraces are a defining feature of Weingut Knebel, allowing vines to take root in the slate and guiding their roots deep into the mineral-rich soils below. 

The Terrassen-Mosel is notably steeper and warmer than the Middle Mosel, just a few bends downriver. This warmth poses challenges, as the intense heat can lead to over-ripeness in grapes. To manage this, Matthias prioritizes low yields, fewer canes, natural vine competition and a rigorous hand-selection process, ensuring the wines are a direct reflection of each site’s unique terroir. 

In 2012, Matthias eliminated all chemical herbicides from the terraces, and the estate has not used synthetic fertilizers for decades. The vineyards are small and scattered, demanding extraordinary handwork—often requiring double the labor needed for flatter vineyards—making each bottle a labor of love. This meticulous, hands-on approach is the foundation of Weingut Knebel’s exceptional wines: a deep respect for nature that allows the land to speak through every vintage. 

Photo Credit: Franzi Stegemann 

Wines  

All of Weingut Knebel’s Rieslings are sourced entirely from Mosel terraces and fermented using native yeasts found on the fruit and in the vineyard. Matthias takes a low-intervention approach, with no fining agents or deacidification used in the cellar. Instead, the focus is on occasional skin contact, slow fermentation and extended maturation, allowing the wines to develop their signature elegance and authenticity. Matthias prefers stainless steel for vinification and aging, believing it best showcases the nuances of the estate’s terroirs. 

The result is a diverse range of Rieslings—from Sekt to entry-level wines to top-tier Grosses Gewächs bottles—each made with the same unwavering commitment to the Mosel’s terroir and the winery’s heritage. 

“We see ourselves as companions of our wines… Companions with an idea, an objective, a concept of style. But we like to allow singularities, edginess, particularities to come through. We want every vineyard, every site, each vintage, and even each cask to be allowed to show its own character.” 

Photo Source: Peter Bender 

Explore more from Weingut Knebel 

 U.S importer: Schatzi Wines 

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