Location and landscape
Minheim is located near Mosenkilometer 144 in the Mosel and is surrounded on three sides by the river. The settlement and its vineyards are situated on a south-facing river meander, which locally is referred to as the Minheim river island. Traditional vineyard sites are on south- and west-facing slopes; smaller-scale steep-slope viticulture focuses mainly on steep south-facing slopes.
Soils and climate
The vineyard slopes contain Devonian slate at different stages of weathering, while the floodplains consist predominantly of sandy river sediments. The cool Mosel climate combines cool nights with warm ripening days, sufficient rainfall and enough sunshine. The sandy soils are suitable for varieties such as Müller-Thurgau and Burgunder.
Viticulture and wine style
Winegrowing has been practised for many centuries on the south-facing areas, according to the municipality since Roman times. Minheim Riesling is described as having fine fruit and fine structure, with lively acidity; the slate is said to give it a mineral character. Riesling and Spätburgunder are considered suitable for the cool conditions. In Minheim, 17 full-time and 17 part-time businesses work in winegrowing.
Vineyard sites and management
The official directory of vineyard sites lists the vineyard sites Burglay, Günterslay, Kapellchen and Rosenberg in Minheim. In the slate rock face of the Burglay there are archaeological remains of a late antique Roman military installation dating from the early 4th century. Many winegrowers use species-rich ground cover as a habitat for beneficial insects; against the grape moth, within the vineyard sites, the area-wide, pesticide-free confusion method according to the RAK procedure is used.
