Location on the Rhine
Nackenheim is a wine-growing municipality in Rheinhessen between the Rhine and the wine-vineyard hills of Rheinhessen. The Rhine flows below the Nackenheimer Rothenberg; on the Nackenheim side of the river lies the island of Kisselwörth. The Rothenberg is the northernmost and one of the steepest sites of the Roten Hang and borders the municipality directly.
Vineyard sites and soils
The Nackenheimer Rothenberg is characterised by shallow to medium-deep, stony, clayey and calcareous Rotliegend and Rigosol soils. The deposits consist of calcareous clay and fine sand. The Roten Hang also features red, iron-bearing slate from the Rotliegend formation.
The Nackenheimer Engelsberg has calcareous soils of the Upper Rotliegend and red slate from the Permian. The Nackenheimer Schmitts-Kapellchen is characterised by deep-rooting, fertile and calcareous loam layers with good water-retention capacity.
Grape varieties and wine style
At the Nackenheimer Rothenberg, Riesling is grown above all, with Silvaner as well. The wines are described as having lively acidity, mineral components and aromas of peach, apricot and honeydew melon. When young, they can be closed and show a long development. The Engelsberg is classified as Riesling, Silvaner and Spätburgunder; the site is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE® with 52 hectares. The wines from Schmitts-Kapellchen are considered fruity, slim, refreshing and moderately acidity-emphasised, with notes of apple, peach, pear and citrus fruits.
History of winegrowing
Nackenheim was first mentioned in a document in 772. A deed of gift records four vineyards for the Lorsch monastery. The Nackenheimer Rothenberg is documented in 1364 under the name “in dem Rode”. The name Schmitts-Kapellchen goes back to a wayside shrine which was donated by the Schmitt family or by Schmittburg.
