Location and climate
Odernheim am Glan lies at the confluence of the Glan and the Nahe in the German wine-growing region Nahe. The Glan valley here has a broad valley floor and a dry, warm climate. For the Nahe, overall mild, well-balanced and low-precipitation conditions are described; in the higher areas and side valleys, cooler air masses from the surrounding region also take effect.
Vineyards on the Glan and Nahe
The Disibodenberg rises at the confluence of both rivers. The south-facing site Kloster Disibodenberg covers around ten hectares and has clay-slate soils. The Heßweg is oriented to the south-west, has an incline of up to 65 per cent, and has slate. The Kapellenberg forms an amphitheatre-like steep slope above Odernheim with sandstone weathering, slate proportions and volcanic melaphyr. To the east, the higher, south-facing Langenberg adjoins; its soils are characterised by slate weathering and partly volcanic subsoil. The south-facing Montfort comprises more than five hectares and also includes extremely steep sections; there, slate lies over volcanic subsoil.
Grape varieties and wine styles
At Kloster Disibodenberg, the plantings are concentrated on Riesling. Dry and noble-sweet Rieslings are produced there. In Montfort, Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder are grown; the site is also used for bottle-fermented sparkling wines made from Burgunder varieties. At Kapellenberg, Frühburgunder and Grauburgunder are planted, and in deeper soils, Spätburgunder as well.
History and winegrowing
Odernheim am Glan was first mentioned in a document in 976. At the Disibodenberg, Roman vines on the south-facing slope are evidenced; the monastery vineyard has been planted with vines continuously since the 11th century. Around the year 1000, a monastery was based there; around 1100, the site was developed into a Benedictine monastery, taken over by the Cistercians in 1259 and closed in 1559. Hildegard of Bingen lived and worked at the Disibodenberg before she set off in 1152 with her companions for the Rupertsberg near Bingen. The cultivation programme includes ecologically supported winegrowing on steep and very steep sites.
