Location and landscape
Eppelsheim is a municipality in the hilly landscape of Rheinhessen. Farming and viticulture shape the surrounding terrain. The first documentary mention dates from the year 782.
Climate
For the Rheinhessen wine region, an average annual temperature of 11.1 °C, 530 millimetres of precipitation per year and a growing season of around 280 days are given.
Geology and vineyard sites
Eppelsheim is associated with the Eppelsheim formation, the deposits of which from an old Rhine system are about 10 to 11 million years old. The vineyard site Felsen is a limestone marl site with soils from limestone weathering, including Terra fusca and Terra rossa. Further soil descriptions mention loess-pararendzina as well as shallow to medium-depth, very lime-rich, stony sandy loams with limited water storage available to plants.
Viticulture
Viticulture is an established form of land use in Eppelsheim; the Eppelsheim Felsen is regarded as the municipality’s best-known vineyard site. In the hierarchy of Rheinhessen vineyard sites, Felsen is classified as a single site (Einzellage) of the Großlage Bergkloster in the Wonnegau. The site is planted with various grape varieties, with Burgunder varieties frequently cited. For the limestone and rendzina areas, aromatic, mineral and chalky wines with balanced acidity are described.
Palaeontological significance
In 1835, a Dinotherium skull was recovered in Eppelsheim. This contributed to the documented geological and palaeontological significance of the municipality.
