Location and History
Laumersheim is a municipality in the district of Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate and belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde Leiningerland. The place lies at around 49.5534° north latitude and 8.2354° east longitude and is part of the Pfalz.
Viticulture in Laumersheim
Viticulture in Laumersheim has been documented since the 8th century. Deeds from the years 769 and 774 mention viticulture, while vineyards designated as Kirchgarten were first documented in 1387.
Sites and Grape Varieties
The Kirschgarten is a south-easterly exposed VDP.GROSSE LAGE® at 115 to 150 metres above sea level with a slope of 5 to 15 per cent. The soils consist of loess loam with limestone gravel over deep tertiary limestone; Riesling, Weißburgunder and Spätburgunder are grown. The average annual rainfall over the long term is below 500 millimetres, while the Orlenberg to the west, situated in front of it, protects against cold westerly winds.
The Steinbuckel extends over the south and south-eastern slopes of the sheltered Mandelberg valley at 120 to 150 metres above sea level and has a gradient of 5 to 10 per cent. The VDP.GROSSE LAGE® covers 25 hectares. Limestone marl, limestone and loess loam shape the subsoil; the site is planted primarily with Riesling and also with Spätburgunder. The Laumersheimer Kapellenberg is a south-facing VDP.ERSTE LAGE® at 120 to 130 metres above sea level with quartz sands and rubble. Its classified area is 47 hectares; Riesling, Spätburgunder and Chardonnay are permitted.
Vineyards and Wine Style
The winery Philipp Kuhn based in Laumersheim works the Kirschgarten, Steinbuckel and Kapellenberg sites and is listed with EU organic and Fair'n-Green certification. The Steinbuckel wines are credited with slow ripening, preserved acidity and longevity. The winery Knipser documents a spectrum ranging from light, fresh and sparkling wines to complex, concentrated wines; part of the wines is only released after several years of bottle ageing.
