Location and History
Nochern lies on the Rhine terraces at an elevation of around 240 metres, in the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The locality belongs to the wine-growing region Mittelrhein and was first mentioned in 893 under its historical name Nockere in the Prümer Urbar.
Vineyards and Landscape
The single-vineyard Brünnchen near Nochern belongs to the Loreley wine-growing area. It lies along the Rhine terraces and is crossed in sections by the Rheinsteig. In the municipality’s area of 731 hectares, 22 hectares are accounted for by vineyards; for the 2024 harvest, the vineyard register for Brünnchen records 8.6 hectares of planted vineyard area.
Topography and Soils
Wine-growing in the Middle Rhine takes place predominantly on steep slopes. Typical soils in the region are clayey slate and greywacke. The steep slopes protect against cold winds, while the Rhine acts as a warmer, reflective surface and gives the valley a great deal of sunshine.
Grape Varieties and Wine Profile
Among the most important grape varieties of the Middle Rhine are Riesling, Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder and Müller-Thurgau. In 2025, regionally 84 per cent of the vineyard area was accounted for by white varieties and 16 per cent by red varieties. Middle Rhine Riesling is described as mineral, delicately aromatic and characterised by vibrant acidity. The legally defined designation of origin for Brünnchen is: Qualitätsweinbaugebiet Mittelrhein, Bereich Loreley, Großlage Loreleyfelsen, Einzellage Brünnchen.
