Balthazar Ress founded his eponymous Rhinegau wine estate in 1870 and today it is run by Stefan and Christian Ress who oversee a total 46 hectares of vineyards throughout the region. Compared to the precipitous slopes of the Mosel the Rhinegau is quite gentle in its aspect and the Rhine River has a moderating effect on the microclimate in the vineyards. Some 90% of the Balthazar Ress vineyards are planted to Riesling with the remainder split between Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc). There is great purity and sense of place throughout the Balthazar Ress range, in particular the Grand Cru and single vineyard offerings.