Location and centre of Rheinhessen
Gabsheim is a municipality in the wine-growing region Rheinhessen in Rhineland-Palatinate. The officially recognised geographical centre of Rheinhessen has been located in the Gabsheim plot known as An des Adams Apfelbaum since 2007.
Vineyards and soils
The municipality lies in a climatically favoured, sheltered valley protected from the wind, surrounded by the vineyards Kirchberg, Dornpfad and Rosengarten. The three sites are classified as single vineyards (Einzellagen) within the collective vineyard Domherr in the area of Nierstein.
The Gabsheimer Rosengarten lies at an elevation of 190 to 210 metres and faces south. It covers 56 hectares and consists of several separate areas. Rosengarten and Dornpfad, as well as Kirchberg, are characterised by loess-pararendzina; in Rosengarten, the soil is described as a calcareous, deep, light loam with clayey silt and a high capacity for storing water.
Historical references
Gabsheim has been documented in donation records for the Lorsch monastery since 770. Earlier transmitted forms of the name are Caisbotesheim, Cheisbotesheim, Kaisbotesheim and Gesbolsheim. A family named after Gabsheim is documented from the 12th to the 16th century and owned a castle in the town; until the end of the 18th century, the village belonged to the Freiherren of Dalberg.
The name of the vineyard Dornpfad refers to earlier thorn hedges in the district. Kirchberg was once the property of the church and belonged to the chapel of Gabsheim.
Legal framework for wine
Rheinhessen is a protected designation of origin of the European Union for wine. Wines with traditional terms such as Qualitätswein or Prädikatswein must undergo an official test and carry an official examination number on the label.
