Germany may be more synonymous with top-quality beer than fine wine, but this European nation is actually the eighth largest wine-producing country in the world. The following Sears Imported Autos list of wineries, located in Germany’s top grape-producing regions, are truly the best of the best.

Weingut von Hövel (Saar)

This beautiful estate is comprised of monastic buildings with cellars dating back to the 12th century and grows mostly Riesling grapes. The Weingut von Hövel winery produces numerous wines, with 2007 alone producing five excellent wines with fine, round, and rich characters. A wine with an especially well-composed structure from 2007 is Von Hövel Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Auslese.

Karthäuserhof (Ruwer)

Situated on the right bank of the Ruwer, the Karthäuserhof estate dates back to the 14th century and produces some of the best wines in this region. The lively and fresh taste of its wines is partially credited to fermenting the grapes in stainless steel vats. From dozens of wines, Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Auslese 2007 is an excellent forerunner with great acidity and a creamy style.

Dönnhoff (Nahe)

Dating back to 1750, Dönnhoff is a luxury estate that produces some of the best wines not just in the Nahe area, but in all of Germany. Eighty percent of wines from this winery are Riesling; the other 20 percent are Burgundy. In general, the majority of the soil tends to bring forth grapes with mineral qualities. One of the purest and finest wines from the Nahe area is Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese 2007.

Dönnhoff also produces ice wines of exceptional status under the labels Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Eiswein and Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Eiswein.

Rhine: Rheingau

The Künstler family—premiere wine producers whose estate in the Rheingau region dates back to the 15th century—were originally refugees from Eastern Europe. As such, they did not establish Weingut, their West German winery in the Rheingau, until 1965. Regardless, their winemaking history and skills are evident. One of the few high-quality German wines from 2006 is Künstler Hochheimer Reichestal Riesling Kabinett, a fresh wine with a fruity lime finish that is perfect for summer.

Rhine: Rheinhessen

Gunderloch is a relatively new wine estate, established in 1890. Most wines from this winery are bottled with screw caps instead of corks. On top of the list is Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Auslese 1998. With a flavor profile of honey, tropical fruit, and candied peel married with fine acidity, it is one of the best wines in all of Germany.

Fritz Haag (Mosel)

The Fritz Haag estate is one of the top wine producers in the Mosel region and traces its winemaking roots back to 1605. Among five premier wines in 2007 from these vineyards, Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel ranks as one of the best wines with its rich, mineral taste.