Silky, Subtle, and Seriously Drinkable
Made in the heart of Germany’s Rheingau region—an area better known for Riesling but increasingly acclaimed for its cool-climate Pinot Noir—The Daily August is the work of one of the region’s cult producers, August Kesseler. He started his winemaking journey at just 19, taking over his family's modest 2.5-hectare estate. Fast-forward a few decades, and Kesseler now steers a 22-hectare jewel of a winery producing reds that sommeliers whisper about and collectors quietly hoard.
This Pinot Noir is grown on steep, slate-streaked slopes overlooking the Rhine, where the cool climate slows ripening and sharpens nuance. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently destemmed, and fermented with their skins in stainless steel to preserve their purity. After fermentation, the wine rests briefly in oak, just enough to give it a gentle frame—like a silk scarf on a crisp day.
What you get in the glass is a wine with bright red fruit, delicate florals, and that signature German clarity. It’s polished but playful, silky with just a kiss of spice. It’s also disarmingly easy to drink—which, let’s be honest, is part of its danger.
As August himself puts it:
“The Daily August is a Pinot Noir that’s easy to enjoy and easy to love, but never boring.”
He’s right. This is not a Pinot Noir trying to impress you with power. It’s one that wins you over by simply being itself—subtle, expressive, and full of character. Ideal with a chill, even better with good conversation.
If you’re new to German Pinot, start here. If you’re already a fan, you’ll want to make this your weekday go-to.
What an amazing entry-level pinot noir. This has everything we look for in sophisticated wines from this grape variety. Complex nose with stacks of rooty complexity and terrific black cherry and forest berry aromas. Wonderful silky texture on the beautifully balanced, medium-bodied palate. Long finish with so many spice, licorice and rooty nuances. Drink or hold.
93 Points, James Suckling
