Scharzhofberger was likely planted by the Romans. One of the most historically significant vineyards in all Europe, it belonged to the monastery St Marien ad Martyres during the middle ages. It was seized by the French government after the revolution and part of it was passed to the Muller family in 1797. Egon Muller IV makes Spätlese from grapes of superior ripeness.

Scharzhofberger is one of the finest vineyards in Germany and indeed all Europe. So great is its fame, it remains one of only a handful of German vineyards, whose wines are sold without mention of the village name. Soils are composed of grey and red slates, very loose and well drained, they form a unique synergy with the microclimate to provide singular conditions for Riesling. Riesling grapes exhibiting the requisite qualities of a Spätlese are fermented mostly through the action of wild yeasts in old, thousand litres oak foudres. The wines are raised in ancient cellars which were built by mediaeval monks. The deep, very cold and damp environments make the perfect environment in which to gently age the wines.