Dominik Held

Sometimes, the best discoveries happen by chance. We first came across Dominik at Back of the Van in Angers, an event organized by Jas Swan of Katla Wines. Also manage to Catch up at Baccanal in Verona , where his Chardonnay Botrytis was excellent.

Dominik Held
Region: Rheinhessen, Germany
Focus: Organic, low-intervention Riesling & Spätburgunder

Dominik Held is part of the new wave of young, independent winemakers redefining German wine. Based in Rheinhessen, Dominik farms a small selection of old-vine parcels with a sharp focus on sustainable practices, purity of fruit, and expressive terroir. His approach balances rigorous attention in the vineyard with a light hand in the cellar—resulting in wines that are soulful, energetic, and precise.

After gaining experience abroad and at several notable German estates, Dominik launched his own label in 2020. He immediately stood out for his commitment to organic farming (without certification), gentle winemaking, and respect for traditional varieties—especially Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). His vines are grown on limestone, loess, and marl soils, primarily in and around the villages of Stadecken and Essenheim, sites known for their depth and freshness.

In the cellar, Dominik favors spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, neutral barrels or stainless steel, and minimal sulfur additions. His wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered when possible, preserving texture and vitality. Across his range—whether in the tension-filled, crystalline Rieslings or the fragrant, vibrant Spätburgunders—there’s a consistent sense of clarity and restraint.

Dominik Held represents a thoughtful, terroir-driven approach to modern German wine, with limited-production bottles that speak of place, time, and care. His style sits at the intersection of natural wine energy and classical structure—making his wines some of the most exciting to emerge from Rheinhessen in recent years.