C.O. Ambassadors

A wine greater than its classification.

C.O. STEINLINDEN AMBASSADOR on the occasion of our 20th anniversary

Our C.O. Steinlinden is not a classified Grand Cru, and yet its origin ranks among the most significant in Germany. Like the legendary Cros Parantoux in Burgundy, its reputation transcends every formal hierarchy. For true greatness is not created by classification, but by terroir, consistency and time.

20 years together. 20 years of C.O.

Exactly 20 years ago, we got married. And exactly 20 years ago, the story of Battenfeld Spanier and Kühling-Gillot also began.

The origin of the C.O. (Liquid Earth) dates back to 2005 as our personal wedding wine. For years, we reserved it exclusively for our family reserve. It was only the extraordinary quality of mature vintages that led us to the decision to vinify the C.O. Steinlinden permanently. Today, it is counted among Germany's great dry Rieslings.

This wine has now existed for 20 years. An anniversary we are celebrating with a deliberately limited and very personal distinction: worldwide, we are naming just 25 restaurants as C.O. Ambassadors. Each C.O. Ambassador plaque is presented by us personally, as a visible sign of a special bond that goes far beyond a classic partnership.

Since the 2019 vintage, we have carried it under the name C.O. STEINLINDEN (Lieu-Dit). It stands for the ancient limestone parcels between Frauenberg and Schwarzer Herrgott in the northeast of the Mölsheim vineyard area.

The grape variety is merely the translator of the chalky-rocky soil into the glass. With maturity, all fruit recedes into the background. Instead, the wine reveals limestone, salt, stony spice and an almost archaic minerality. Its true dimension only unfolds with age. That is why we let the C.O. Steinlinden leave our 1,800-square-meter underground maturation cellar only after years of bottle rest. It is one of the few white wines in the world that we present only once it has reached its true potential.

For the first time in the history of the Bordeaux négociants, in 2022 — at the time with the 2017 C.O. — a German winery was marketed with a dry Riesling at the world's most famous trading hub for grands vins.

99/100 Yves Beck

“The bouquet is a striking expression of its origin and the character of the site. Possessing extraordinary length and captivating complexity, the wine rises beyond vintage and varietal. It speaks clearly of its place, conveying its identity, depth and greatness with clarity and authenticity (2021 Riesling CO Steinlinden Liquid Earth).”

98/100 VINOUS, Anne Krebihl

"The 2021 Riesling CO Steinlinden Liquid Earth opens undeniably with soil. Moist limestone is front and center on the nose. As so often, this has a real affinity with its French limestone siblings. The nose has dispensed with fruit and started on its evolution; the palate speaks of utter freshness. This is superbly fluid with that wonderful Riesling texture that travels like a pliable, agile drop of water across the palate, staying intact, exuding deep limestone soil and ripe, smooth, clean-cut citrus fruit expressed as lemon oil."

OUR C.O. Liquid Earth AMBASSADORS