The winery is located in the municipality of Hattenheim (part of Eltville) in the German wine-growing region of Rheingau. In 1870, Balthasar Ress founded a commercial enterprise with an inn and his own vineyard. The business has grown considerably since then. In 1993, the new winery building "Rheinallee 50" was acquired, where the vinotheque (picture) is also located. The old manor house at "Rheinallee 7" with its recently renovated fireplace hall, romantic garden and modern lounge offers an impressive setting for events of all kinds. Today, the traditional winery is run by the fifth generation of the family, Christian Ress. The vineyards cover 50 hectares in the single vineyard sites Berg Roseneck, Berg Rottland and Berg Schlossberg (Rüdesheim), Engelmannsberg, Nussbrunnen and Schützenhaus (Hattenheim), as well as Höllenberg (Assmannshausen). They are mainly planted with Riesling and Pinot Noir. After a three-year conversion phase, the vineyards have been cultivated according to certified organic viticulture rules since the 2019 vintage.
The wines are marketed in four lines according to the VDP classification model. Balthasar Ress used to offer particularly selected wines as "Von Unserm". Today, the winery still uses this brand for special wines, bottle-fermented sparkling wines and house spirits that meet the highest quality standards. Wines dating back to the 1920 vintage are stored in the treasure chamber. Since June 2009, the winery has owned a 3,000 m² vineyard in the municipality of Keitum on the island of Sylt. It is the northernmost vineyard in Germany. There, 1,600 Solaris vines were planted. As a special feature, a limited number of vines can be sponsored. Since the 2013 vintage, the winery has pressed the Schleswig Holstein "Söl'ring wine " from Sylt every year together with its vine tenants. The winery is a member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates).
A special feature of the winery are bottle labels designed by various artists. Catherine and Stefan Ress commissioned their first artist's label (see some examples there) from the German painter Heinz te Laake (1925-2001) in 1978. They gave the entire bottle to the artist to design. The artists are completely free to choose the label paper, printing method and also the shape and colour of the bottle capsule. The labels are specially designed for the belly of the bottle and only top wines are distinguished by an artist's label.
