Kettenheim in Rheinhessen
Kettenheim is a local municipality in the district of Alzey-Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate and belongs to the collective municipality of Alzey-Land. The place forms part of the wine-growing region Rheinhessen.
Location and soils
The Wartberg extends across the cadastral areas of Alzey and Kettenheim. In the official vineyard register for 2024, a total of 29.6 hectares of planted vineyard land are listed for the Kettenheim area. The Alzeyer Wartberg lies at around 225 to 280 metres above sea level and is oriented to the east to the south-east. Its soils consist of loess-pararendzina and are described as deep-rooting, calcareous, water-retentive and well-suited to being penetrated by roots.
Wine-growing on the Wartberg
The Wartberg is an officially registered single vineyard in the Wonnegau area and in the Großlage Sybillenstein. A cool microclimate on the Wartberg, which is about 300 metres high, allows the grapes a long ripening period. The wines are characterised by notes of yellow fruit, with hints of apple, peach, pear and citrus. They show a rather slender structure, a refreshing character, mild acidity and a medium body. The designation Rheinhessen is a protected designation of origin.
Historical references
Kettenheim is documented in 1171 as Kiedenheim and, until the end of the 18th century, was linked to the Electoral Palatinate and the Oberamt Alzey. The name Wartberg was documented in 1426 as “an dem Wartenpfade” and refers to an earlier signalling or watch station in this area.
