Location and landscape
Sankt Goar lies on the left bank of the River Rhine in the wine-growing region Mittelrhein and in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The 65-kilometre-long cultural landscape between Bingen and Koblenz includes historic places, castles and vineyards. Above the narrow Rhine valley, the landscape is shaped mainly by steep slopes.
Climate and soils
The steep valley slopes provide protection from cold winds. Sunlight and the Rhine’s heat reflection shape the climate. Slate is the most important rock in the area around Sankt Goar; in the wider Mittelrhein region, greywacke also occurs. Terraces have been forming the steep vineyard slopes of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley for more than 1,000 years.
Winegrowing in Sankt Goar
Winegrowing on the steep slopes is labour-intensive and involves the cultivation of terraced vineyards. The individual Sankt Goar vineyard sites designated are Frohwingert, Rosenberg and Ameisenberg. Riesling is the region’s most important grape variety; in addition, Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Müller-Thurgau are grown.
Wine profile and history
Mittelrhein white wines range in colour from pale green to deep gold or amber. Their aroma can be fresh, exotic, floral or spicy, while the taste ranges from delicate to full-bodied and the acidity from elegant to lively. Riesling is also used to produce sparkling wine. The name Sankt Goar is derived from Saint Goar, who, according to local historical depictions, settled at the place in the sixth century. Rheinfels Castle above the town was built from 1245 onwards by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen and was connected to the town’s Rhine toll administration.
