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Wines of Germany Honors First U.S. Riesling Fellows

04/18/2017

Wines of Germany U.S.A. honored renowned importers Rudi Wiest and Terry Theise and journalist and long-time merchant, David Schildknecht, for their passion, dedication and advocacy for German wine in the United States at an exclusive celebration attended by top members of the trade, importers and the media.


The first-ever U.S. Riesling Fellowship awards were held at the Beekman Hotel in New York City on Tuesday April 18. Each fellow was recognized and honored for their significant role in driving current U.S. market appreciation and the future growth of German wines in an awards ceremony hosted by Managing Director of the German Wine Institute, Monika Reule.

As part of this landmark occasion, each of the 2017 Fellows curated a distinctive selection of German Rieslings that celebrated exceptional vintages and showcased their vision for the future of German Riesling.  The wines were featured at an exclusive tasting prior to the ceremony and paired with a custom four-course menu from the kitchens of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio.

“The 2017 U.S. Riesling Fellows are truly visionaries. From pioneering the import of high quality German wines, to generating interest, and spreading education about Riesling through extensive writing, each Fellow has helped to establish the reputation and image of German Riesling here in the U.S.,” remarked Managing Director of the German Wine Institute, Monika Reule.

The honorees are joining an exclusive group of just 20 Riesling Fellows from around the globe. Since its introduction in 2013, members of the Riesling Fellowship represent the world’s preeminent German Riesling experts and advocates. Past Fellows include importers, members of the trade, journalists, writers and critics – including Jancis Robinson, Hugh Johnson and Jeannie Cho Lee - all of who have contributed to enhancing the image of German Riesling on a global scale.

Read more about the Riesling Fellowship

The 2017 U.S. Riesling Fellows Terry Theise, David Schildknecht and Rudi Wiest (from left to right) together with Monika Reule, Managing Director of the German Wine Institute.

Terry Theise, David Schildknecht and Rudi Wiest (from left to right) were honored as Riesling Fellows.

The first-ever U.S. Riesling Fellowship awards ceremony hosted by Managing Director of the German Wine Institute, Monika Reule, was held at the Beekman Hotel in New York City on Tuesday April 18.