Location and landscape
Ruppertsberg is located in the Pfalz at an altitude of about 120 metres. The village lies between the Upper Rhine plain to the east and the Haardt hills and the Palatinate Forest to the west. The vineyard landscape rises from the Upper Rhine plain up to the Haardt and includes both flat agricultural areas and gently sloping vineyard plots.
Climate and winegrowing
The municipality describes the climate as mild and sunny. The Haardt protects the vineyards from prevailing weather influences. More than half of the municipality’s area of around 800 hectares is planted with vines.
Location Reiterpfad
The Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®. The area designated by the VDP comprises 57 hectares and lies at an altitude of 120 to 175 metres with a slope of 0 to 15 per cent. The site is a gently east-southeast-facing terrace of red Bunter sandstone debris from the Haardt with loamy-sandy soils. For the Reiterpfad, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Scheurebe and Spätburgunder are named.
History and wine tradition
Ruppertsberg was first mentioned in records in 1040. Archaeological finds point to settlements and farmsteads from the Roman period. A local winemakers’ association was founded in 1911. In a documented Reiterpfad plot, the grapes are harvested fully selectively by hand in small crates; a documented wine from the site matures after spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks and large wooden casks.
