Appointed as a U.S. Riesling Fellow by DWI in 2017, Wiest founded Rudi Wiest Selections and is credited for rebuilding Germany’s wine reputation in the United States market.
Renowned German wine importer Rudi Wiest passed away on March 9, 2025, at 88 years old. Wiest is regarded as one of the most impactful figures in German wine’s success in the United States.
Wiest was born in Germany in 1936, moving to America with his family at the age of 16. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and becoming a citizen of the United States, Wiest discovered his passion — and obsession — for wine.
Rudi Wiest Selections was established in 1978 and included five founding producers: Mönchhof, Milz, S.A. Prüm, Vereinigte Hospitien and Zilliken. Wiest worked tirelessly to elevate the perception of German wines and expand his impressive portfolio.
Over 40 years, Wiest and team brought attention to many esteemed estates and is best known for introducing the U.S. market to Egon Müller, JJ Prüm and Karthäuserhof as outstanding examples of German wine.
Beyond his company’s powerhouse line-up of producers, Wiest brought attention to Germany’s underappreciated offerings, like dry Riesling and Pinot Noir. He is also credited with successfully urging German producers to simplify their wine labels, especially at lower price points, in order to appeal to a wider audience.
The German Wine Institute (DWI) appointed Wiest as a U.S. Riesling Fellow in 2017 — the first time a recipient was awarded the honor in the United States — for his passion, dedication and advocacy for German wine in the United States.
Today, Wiest’s legacy lives on through The German Wine Collection (GWC). Founded by Jenna Fields in 2019, who worked alongside Wiest and considers him a mentor, the GWC aims to continue Wiest’s legacy and preserve these top estates under one company.
