Location and winegrowing
Gundheim is a municipality in the Wonnegau, a sub-region of Rheinhessen, in the Alzey-Worms district in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipality covers 4.61 km² and is located in the Rheinhessen winegrowing region. This is regarded as a warm, relatively dry winegrowing area with an average annual temperature of about 9.9 °C.
Vineyard sites
The named Gundheim vineyard sites belong to the large site of Bergkloster in the Wonnegau. The Gundheimer Hungerbiene covers 23 hectares, lies at an altitude of 140 to 150 metres, and is oriented to the south. The Gundheimer Mandelbrunnen extends over 102 hectares at 130 to 165 metres and has an east-southeast orientation. The Gundheimer Sonnenberg covers 93 hectares, lies at 145 to 170 metres, and is oriented from east to southeast.
Soils and wine style
Hungerbiene and Mandelbrunnen are characterised by loess and pararendzina soils. At Sonnenberg, loess and black earth soils are also documented; the black earth is described as rich in humus and as being well rooted. The sites are associated, among other things, with Grauburgunder, Silvaner, Huxelrebe, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Gewürztraminer and Kerner. The documented wines show fruit aromas such as yellow fruit, apple, peach, pear and citrus, as well as moderate structure and a comparatively early time to drink.
History
According to the official account of local history, Roman settlement introduced winegrowing in the surrounding area. Gundheim was first mentioned in 774 as “Guntheim” in a deed of gift connected with the Lorsch Abbey. Another document from 791 mentions a church, agricultural land and vineyards. Gundheim is part of the protected designation of origin Rheinhessen.
