Location and viticulture
Dienheim is a wine-growing municipality in Rheinhessen and is part of the Verbandsgemeinde Rhein-Selz in the Mainz-Bingen district. The municipality lies between Mainz and Worms, and between the Rhine and the surrounding hills. Within the Dienheim municipal area, around 550 hectares of vineyard land are cultivated.
Vineyard sites and soils
The Dienheimer Tafelstein lies at about 90 to 170 metres above sea level and is oriented to the east as far as the south-east. Deep loess, loam and calcareous marl soils shape the site; the described loess-pararendzine soils are calcareous, fertile and store plant-available water. Riesling and Spätburgunder are among the grape varieties grown there or are suitable for cultivation.
The Dienheimer Falkenberg lies above Dienheim at about 140 to 190 metres above sea level and is oriented to the east. Mergel-pararendzine soils with calcareous loams and sands are described there, which are linked to deposits from the Tertiary sea.
Classification of the sites
Falkenberg and Tafelstein are assigned to the Nierstein area and the Großlage Güldenmorgen and are listed in the vineyard sites directory as single sites within the Dienheim municipal area. The site Dienheimer Schloß also belongs to the Nierstein area and the Großlage Krötenbrunnen.
Historical background
According to the municipality, viticulture has played an important role in Dienheim since Roman times. Extensive new plantings in the previous century laid the foundation for the importance it has today as a wine-growing municipality. A historical reference is documented for the year 754. The names of several vineyard sites point to earlier local connections, including a hollow way, a cross chapel, an estate of Eberbach Abbey, a castle near Dexheim, and a gravestone of the Roman Silius.
