Location and landscape
Hochheim am Main lies on the Main and belongs to the wine-growing region of Rheingau, where it is in the Upper Rheingau. The town is at around 129 metres above sea level, the district of Massenheim at around 147 metres. Around 210 hectares of vineyards belong to Hochheim, with a further 9 hectares in Massenheim. The Hochheim plain lies at around 120 to 130 metres and slopes slightly down towards the south-west.
Climate and soils
An early start to the growing season, a long growth period and usually low annual rainfall shape the climatic conditions. The proximity to the Main provides a warm local climate, while the nearby Taunus protects the vineyards from cold winds. In the Hochheim plain, loess deposits and gravel are found above all. The sites also show differing geological conditions, including marl, calcareous clay marl, sands, gravels and Tertiary sediments.
Winegrowing
Hochheim has ten named vineyard sites. Riesling is the defining grape variety of the Rheingau and is grown there on about 80 per cent of the vineyard area. The winery Künstler, which is mainly based in Hochheim, grows Riesling as well as, among other varieties, Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Grner Veltliner, Alvarinho and Merlot. For the vineyards, documentation is provided, among other things, of cover cropping, work on the foliage, selective picking and gentle pruning of the vines.
Rheingau Rieslings are associated with distinctive acidity and aromas of peach, apple and citrus. For the Hochheimer Hölle, Künstler describes the wines as rich and mineral, with lively acidity as well as fruit and spicy notes. The Rieslings from the Hochheimer Stein are described as medium-bodied and fruit-forward, with moderate acidity and a long finish.
History of winegrowing
Hochheim was first mentioned in writing in 754 as villa Hohheim. Winegrowing has been documented for the town since 1239; for the then independent district of Massenheim, there is already evidence of vineyards dating back to 819. In the 19th century, commercial production of sparkling wine began in Hochheim: the first bottle of Hochheimer Mussie dates to 1832, and in 1836 the sparkling wine company Schweickhardt and Burgeff was founded.
