Location and landscape
Fürfeld is a local municipality in the eastern part of the district of Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipal boundary borders the district of Alzey-Worms. Fürfeld lies in the Rheinhessen region and in the Rheinhessian Switzerland recreational area, at the foot of the Eichelberg, which is 321.6 metres high. The town centre is located at around 210 metres above sea level.
Climate
Rheinhessen is one of Germany’s warmest and driest regions. The region records approximately 1,600 hours of sunshine, a growing season of about 240 days, average annual temperatures of 8.6 to 10.6 °C and an average annual precipitation of 470 to 730 millimetres.
Vineyard sites and soils
The Fürfeld wine-growing area includes the individual sites Eichelberg, Kapellenberg and Steige. They are assigned to the Rheingrafenstein region and to the Bingen area. The Eichelberg comprises 28.5 hectares, the Kapellenberg 23.8 hectares and the Steige 3.5 hectares. Eichelberg and Steige face south and lie at 190 to 270, and 230 to 260 metres respectively. The soils consist of Rotliegend/Rigosol with calcareous, stony and clay-rich loams; at the Eichelberg, volcanic rock/brown earth is also present.
History
Fürfeld was first mentioned in a surviving document dated 13 June 897. The municipal history describes the place as a clearing settlement and assumes that it was founded around 894. The name Steige is attested in 1521 as „am hunerstege“ and is traced back to a steep ascent or an enclosure for small livestock. The name Kapellenberg refers to the former Templar chapel at Hof Iben.
