Location and landscape
Bermersheim is a rural municipality in Wonnegau, a sub-region of Rheinhessen, in the Alzey-Worms district in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipality lies in a gently hilly, agriculturally shaped landscape. The Seilgarten vineyard offers views over the Rhine plain and is not a steep-slope area.
Climate and soils
Rheinhessen is characterised by a warm, dry climate. For the further landscape unit, less than 500 millimetres of annual precipitation and mean July temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius are given. The soils of the Hasenlauf and Seilgarten vineyards consist of loess over pararendzina. The calcareous, deep and nutrient-rich loam has a high water-retention capacity and good root penetration.
Viticulture
Viticulture is an important use of land in Bermersheim. The municipality’s most important vineyards are Hasenlauf and Seilgarten. For Seilgarten, Silvaner, Chardonnay and Portugieser are documented. The vineyards are associated with delicately fruity, fresh wines that show a mild acidity and medium body structure, as well as aromas of apple, peach, pear and citrus fruits. Bermersheim belongs to the legally defined growing area of the protected designation of origin Rheinhessen.
History
Bermersheim was first mentioned in 780 as “Bermotesheim” in a grant to the Lorsch monastery. Roman graves and older ceramic vessels were found in the municipality. The Seilgarten vineyard is documented in 1773 as “auf dem saylgarten”; the name is either associated with a particular form of the landscape or with the historic cord-maker’s trade.
