Location on the Moselle
Köwerich is a Moselle village on a visually striking bend of the Moselle, surrounded by vineyards. The vineyard landscape includes steep slate slopes with gradients of up to 70 percent.
Vineyard sites and soils
Local vineyard sites include Köwericher Held and Köwericher Laurentiuslay. The Held lies close to the Moselle and is flat, with gravelly soils and a high level of groundwater. The Laurentiuslay is a steep slate site with a south-westerly orientation, with direct sunlight over large parts of the day. In the 2024 register of vineyard sites, it is listed as a single site in the municipality of Köwerich, with 14.6 hectares of planted vineyard area.
Grape varieties and wine style
Riesling is the predominant grape variety in Köwerich. In addition, Müller-Thurgau, White Burgundy, Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Dornfelder and Rivaner are grown. The wines are described as fresh, fruity and mineral; Riesling is produced in dry, gently off-dry and sweet styles. The river location and slate slopes shape the local vineyard microclimate.
Viticulture and history
Viticulture uses, among other things, natural ground cover, reduced vine pruning, organic fertilisation and an open canopy structure. Late harvest and temperature-controlled fermentation are used to preserve the grape aromas. The first documented mention of Köwerich dates from the year 704, when Irmina of Oeren endowed a vineyard in the Laurentiuslay to the Abbey of Echternach.
