The town Dernau in the Ahrtal has a number of good wineries, such as Erwin Risk, Mayer, and HJ Näkel Kreuzberg. All three are among the top in the Ahrtal, but even far beyond the Ahrtal famous wineries. I knew H.J. Kreuzberg, is a winery which makes very nice wines. Not only red but also white and blanc de noir, in this case from the Spätburgunder (pinot noir) grape. H.J. Kreuzberg is a VDP Prädikatsweingut and produces, as many winemakers in the Ahr valley, a wide assortment of great wines. Some examples are: - The barrique gereifte Devonschiefer 2008 Spätburgunder Qualitätswein Selektion, made of grapes which grow on the steep slate slopes in the Ahr valley. The wine is still relatively young at the moment and has relatively a lot of tannins. It is a great Spätburgunder, which has to mature a few years more before it reaches its peak. - The 2006 Cuvee Noir Regent / Dornfelder / Portugieser Qualitätswein is, compared to the previous wine, a bit more easy drinking wine. An excellent companion to a good meal.

Weingut Tesch from the Nahe
The 2009er Pinot Blanc Spätburgunder. A lovely wine for the evening, just have a glass. Kreuzberg also offers wines of colleague wine growers, we likes the Unplugged Riesling Kabinett trocken 2009 of  Weingut Tesch from the Nahe. A delicious Riesling, which makes you curious and make you want to plan a trip to the Nahe area instantly.

Vinotheque
All this great wines are to be tasted in vinotheque located in a shed behind the house of HJ Kreuzberg. You will be received with warmth and have the opportunity to taste all the delicious wines. In 2010 they won the prize for the best wine collection at Pro-Wein. Besides the Weingut they have a Strausswirtschaft, opened a few days a week in summer. It gives a great opportunity to learn and taste delicious wines with nice regional dishes in a relaxed way. Like many winemakers in Germany they have some guest rooms available.