Location and municipality
Frettenheim is a municipality in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and belongs to the Alzey-Worms district. The municipal area covers 2.74 km². Frettenheim is located in the winegrowing region Rheinhessen, which is designated, under wine law, as a defined growing area for quality wines and Prädikat wines.
History
Frettenheim was first mentioned in 767 in the Lorsch Codex and at that time bore the name Frittenheim. Since 1402, the present name has been handed down. Archaeological finds provide evidence of a Roman settlement with Roman tiles, a lined well, coins and Terra Sigillata vessels. In addition, Frankish graves have been identified.
Wine site Heil
Winegrowing is documented in the Heil wine site. It belongs to the Wonnegau area and to the Großlage Pilgerpfad. The site covers 62 hectares, lies at approximately 150 to 192 metres above sea level and is oriented to the north. The name is derived from the historical site description “uff der Heyl”, which is explained as referring to a slope, such as a heap (Halde) or hell (Hölle), in the sense of a gentle hillside.
Soil and wine style
In the Heil site, marl and Pelosol are found, originating from calcareous deposits of the Tertiary Sea. The soil is deep, calcareous and rich in clay, with a high proportion of source clay, limited permeability and aeration, as well as a high nutrient content. The profile is associated with full-bodied, dense wines of moderate acidity, a creamy texture, ripe fruit and lower minerality. A producer from Frettenheim describes wines from the site as finely fruity and slender; the soils contain loam, marl, loess and chalky seams.
