About us

At the Rieger Winery in Buggingen-Betberg, we are dedicated to biodynamic viticulture, characterised by integrity, precision, and a focus on terroir. Across our 25 hectares of vineyards, we work strictly in accordance with Demeter and Ecovin guidelines to produce wines that authentically reflect their terroir.

The winery is run by the Rieger family and a close-knit team. We have been cultivating our vineyards organically in accordance with Ecovin guidelines since 2005 and biodynamically, with certification from Demeter, since 2010. This long-term approach shapes our daily work in the vineyard and cellar.

Caring for living soils, promoting biodiversity, and practising minimalist winemaking form the basis for producing dense, refined, and long-lived wines. Today, we are among the largest Demeter- and Ecovin-certified estates in Baden-Württemberg. Our wines are featured on the menus of top restaurants, as well as in specialist wine merchants and organic shops.

History

In 1984, Josepha and Bernhard Rieger took over their parents' farm in Buggingen-Betberg. At that time, the Rieger estate was a mixed agricultural farm with viticulture, animal husbandry and crop cultivation. In the years that followed, the business was restructured. Animal husbandry was abandoned and the focus shifted entirely to viticulture. The four hectares of vineyards that were there at that time were the basis for the development of today's winery.

The wine was marketed both in their own wine tavern and directly to private customers. Under the leadership of Josepha and Bernhard, four generations lived and worked under one roof. The next generation provided a decisive impetus for further development. Philipp Rieger completed his viticulture training at a nearby organic winery. There, he became determined to make his parents' business organic as well. The conversion meant not only giving up chemical and synthetic agents, but above all a fundamental change in thinking and working with nature.

As a logical consequence, our vineyards were converted to organic farming in 2005 in ccordance with Ecovin guidelines, followed in 2010 by the next step towards biodynamics and Demeter certification. This decision marked a sustainable turning point in the development of

our winery. With the generational change in 2013, responsibility was transferred entirely to Philipp. In the following years, the business was further developed and expanded structurally. The construction of the cellardoor and the expansion of the cellar between 2018 and 2020

created the conditions for more precision in our work, longer ageing periods in the cellar and the development of our wine range. The team also grew. Today, we cultivate more than 25 hectares of vineyards biodynamically. The vineyards around Buggingen-Betberg, Laufen and on the Schlossberg in Staufen shape the style and character of the wines and form the basis for the winery's current positioning.

Vineyard & Terroir

In the far south-west of Germany, in the border triangle with France and Switzerland, lies the Markgräflerland region, south of Freiburg and north of Basel between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The region is one of the sunniest wine-growing areas in Germany and is characterised by vineyards, orchards and a high level of biodiversity.

Betberg, one of the oldest villages in the Markgräflerland region, is nestled in this landscape. The region's mild climate is due to the so-called Burgundian Gate, through which warm Mediterranean air flows into the Upper Rhine Valley. These climatic conditions ensure an early start to vegetation– spring often arrives up to three weeks earlier in the Markgräflerland than in many other regions of Germany. The result is long ripening periods, distinctive aromas and a natural balance in the grapes. The combination of climate, landscape and diverse soils has a lasting influence on the character of the wines. It forms the basis for viticulture that focuses on origin, finesse and individuality.

The Staufener Schlossberg is a very diverse site. The soil varies from limestone marl and red sandstone to granite, gneiss and Middle Jurassic claystone, as well as Tertiary marl. We have three vineyards on this site, ranging in altitude from 295 to 370 metres above sea level. 

The Laufener Altenberg also has diverse soil and exposure. Two of our single vineyards are located here. The predominant soil types are limestone and marl conglomerate, and the vineyards are located very close to the Black Forest.

The Heitersheier Maltesergarten is characterised by deep, fertile loess soils with a high lime content. 

Winemaking & Aging

As we are certified biodynamic, we work in the vineyard and cellar according to these principles. In the cellar, for example, we base our racking work on the phases of the moon. This enables us to avoid unnecessary oenological interventions and produce wines with genuine character.

We have four different ranges of wine. Our wines are produced with great care and passion. Each of the 'MEISTERWERKE' wines is characterised by its unique terroir, shaped by old, deeply rooted vines. They are renowned for their density, finesse, elegance and longevity. Yields are deliberately reduced to maximise the extract. The grapes for our 'Alte Rebe' selection come from renowned sites such as the Laufener Altenberg, the Betberger and the Heitersheimer Maltesergarten. These sites are characterised by old, deeply rooted vines that ensure authenticity and low yields. All wines from these two lines are aged for at least one year in an oak barrel, followed by a further year in a stainless steel tank. They are unfined and unfiltered, and we give them as much time as they need in the bottle before we start selling them.

Our 'Vom Löss' estate wine range showcases the distinct characteristics of each grape variety. By blending parcels from various vineyards, we craft approachable, elegant wines with vibrant fruit aromas. The wines are filtered once prior to bottling and, depending on the wine, age in stainless steel vats or oak barrels of different sizes.

The ‘LUST AUF WEIN’ series focuses on enjoyment. Fruity cuvées with a slight residual sweetness charm even lovers of dry wines with their carefree enjoyment.

At The Winery

From the mid-1980s until 2016, Josepha and Bernhard Rieger ran a 'Straußwirtschaft'. This regional restaurant served very simple yet delicious regional and seasonal dishes. It was great fun, and many memories were made during this time. 

We still love being a place for the community and our guests, and our new cellar door, built between 2018 and 2020, is exactly the place for this. You can come and taste our wines, and we can organise guided tours and tastings. You can also celebrate your wedding, birthday or business gathering in our cellar door. 

We love hosting people, which is why we organise different types of events at the winery. Once a year, we organise a 'Sommerfest' at the winery. As a recurring event, we open our doors on Mondays (May–July and September–December) for 'Zämnehocke', where people can enjoy our wines alongside some lovingly prepared food from Josepha, bringing back the 'Straussi' vibes. 

If you have a van or camper, you can stay with us for a night or two and wake up surrounded by vines. 

Press & Awards

Eichelmann 2025– 3.5 stars– ‘very good winery’ (up-and-coming) ‘The 2022 Schlossberg Pinot Noir is our favourite in the strong current collection, displaying smoky notes, pure fruit, good concentration, power, complexity, structure

and length.’

Vinum 2025- 3 stars– Very good! ‘The Rieger Winery once again presents a wide range of different grape varieties in its usual high quality– impressive.’

Henris 2026-4 black grapes– German excellence! "Four generations have shaped the biodynamic Rieger winery, which has been run by Philipp Rieger since 2013. The diverse soils around Buggingen are primarily home to Gutedel, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes. Certified organic since 2005 and Demeter-certified since 2010, the winery focuses on humus formation, species-rich vegetation and moon phase-controlled work. Modern cellar technology and slow maturation in wooden barrels produce lively wines that reflect their terroir. Environmental considerations are taken into account in everything from production and packaging to energy supply."

Falstaff 2026- 3 stars ‘In recent years, the Rieger Winery has become a fixture in the Markgräflerland region.... ...This year's dry Gewürztraminer is particularly impressive, wonderfully juicy, captivating and aromatic– a real gem!’