Location and History
Offenheim lies at an altitude of about 229 metres in a valley basin in the south-west of the Verbandsgemeinde of Alzey-Land, in Rheinhessen. The settlement has been documented since 768; a vineyard in the municipal area on the Maronoberg was already mentioned in 771.
Mandelberg
The Mandelberg is located in the north-east of Offenheim’s cadastral area and is also known as Windberg or Maronoberg. The vineyard site covers 122 hectares, lies between about 210 and 271 metres above sea level and is oriented from east to south. Its position above the valley basin has been documented since 1427 under the name am mandelwege.
Soils and Wine Profile
The Mandelberg comprises shallow to medium-deep, calcareous, stony and clayey Rotliegend and Rigosol soils formed from calcareous clay and fine sand. In addition, deep, loamy, calcareous and water-retaining Löss and Pararendzina soils are also found. The Rotliegend and Rigosol parcels are associated with herbaceous, finely spicy and floral notes, mineral components and aromas of peach, apricot and honey melon. For the Löss and Pararendzina soils, yellow-fruit aromas as well as apple, peach, pear and citrus are described. The designation is classified as a single vineyard Mandelberg in the Wonnegau area and in the Sybillenstein region.
