Location and landscape
Lonsheim is a municipality in Rheinhessen, the wine-growing region of Rhineland-Palatinate. Landscape elements associated with Lonsheim include the viewing tower on the Hemm and the Hiwwel tour Aulheimer Tal. The route runs through vineyards, meadows and woodland within Lonsheim’s cadastral area.
Vineyard sites and soils
The Lonsheim Mandelberg covers 58 hectares and lies at an altitude of 180 to 230 metres, with a western to southern aspect. Its deep, calcareous clay marl soils are classified as marl, or Pelosol. The Lonsheim Schönberg is 52 hectares in size and lies at an altitude of 180 to 250 metres. Marl-Pelosol and loess-Pararendzina occur there. Another vineyard associated with Lonsheim is the Kachelberg.
Viticulture
Mandelberg and Schönberg belong to the Großlage Adelberg in the area of Bingen. For Mandelberg, among others, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Dorsa and Pinot Meunier are recorded. The marl soils are linked to full-bodied, dense and substantial wines with moderate acidity and a creamy texture. On loess soils, rather lighter, fruit-forward wines are produced with mild acidity and a moderate structure.
Climate and history
Rheinhessen is considered a sheltered, warm and comparatively dry wine-growing region. The regional average values are 470 to 730 millimetres of annual precipitation and 8.6 to 10.6 degrees Celsius of annual temperature. Lonsheim was first mentioned in documents in 775 and in 2025 marked the 1,250th anniversary of this mention. The Schönberg vineyard site has been documented as early as 1702 under the name “im Schönberg”. Lonsheim belongs to the protected designated region of Rheinhessen.
