Location and municipality
Pfaffen-Schwabenheim is a local municipality in the Bad Kreuznach district in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipality covers 5.18 square kilometres and lies at an altitude of 144 metres above sea level. It belongs to the wine region Rheinhessen, which is characterised by low annual rainfall of about 400 to 500 millimetres, around 1,600 hours of sunshine, mild winters and autumns, as well as a vegetation period of about 240 days.
Mandelbaum vineyard site
The wine site Pfaffen-Schwabenheimer Mandelbaum extends over 159 hectares within the municipal area. It lies at an altitude of about 130 to 170 metres and is oriented from south-west to south. The site belongs to the Bingen area, to the Großlage St. Rochuskapelle and to the single-vineyard site Mandelbaum.
Soil and wine character
The documented soil consists of marl and Pelosol, i.e. lime-rich, clay-containing deposits of the Tertiary sea. It is deep, rich in lime and nutrients, but due to clay that can swell it has limited permeability and aeration as well as difficult root penetration. The site profile links the resulting wines with a full-bodied, dense and rich structure, moderate acidity, a creamy texture and ripe fruit notes.
History and wine law
The first securely documented mention dates from the year 1130. At that time, Archbishop Adalbert I of Mainz recorded the transfer of a monastery to Augustinian canons. Historically, the monastery controlled large parts of the municipal area and required the inhabitants, among other things, to help with the grape harvest. The canons promoted local viticulture. Pfaffen-Schwabenheim lies in the protected designation of origin for wines from Rheinhessen.
