Location and landscape
Mülheim an der Mosel is a wine-growing community in the Middle Moselle. The village lies between vineyards, forests, meadows and two streams, and belongs to the legally defined wine-growing region of Mosel for quality wine and Prädikatswein.
Vineyard sites and history
The Helenenkloster is situated on a hill at the edge of the village with a view over the Moselle valley. The south-west facing site, rising gently, has deep slate soil with a high proportion of loam and fine earth. It came into being in connection with a medieval monastery dedicated to Saint Helena, whose foundations are partly preserved beneath the vineyard.
The Elisenberg goes back to a vineyard that Franz Ludwig Niessen established after receiving land in 1813 and named Louisenweinberg. Later, the name Elisenberg prevailed. Mülheim was first mentioned in 564, when the Merovingian king Childebert transferred the area, including the wine and the inhabitants, to the Bishop of Verdun.
Sonnenlay and Riesling
The Mülheimer Sonnenlay is a steep single-vineyard site with a west-south-west to south-west orientation. Its soil is described as slate and loam marl; the name refers to sun and slate. For the vineyard sites of Elisenberg, Helenenkloster and Sonnenlay, Riesling is documented. From the Helenenkloster, among other things, Riesling ice wine and Beerenauslese are evidenced; from the Sonnenlay, Riesling quality wine and Riesling Kabinett feinherb.
Zeppelin wine and vinification
Wine from the Mülheimer Sonnenlay was taken aboard during the first world voyage of the airship Graf Zeppelin, which began on 7 August 1929. A documented Sonnenlay Riesling was produced from hand-picked grapes harvested at the end of September and the beginning of October. After a six-hour must maceration time and gentle pressing, the wine fermented under temperature control with natural yeasts in traditional, old Fuder wooden casks.
