Location on the Middle Rhine
Sankt Goarshausen lies on the right bank of the Rhine opposite Sankt Goar, directly by the Loreley. The town is situated in the narrow Upper Middle Rhine Valley, shaped by steep, rocky terrain, which is part of UNESCO World Heritage. The Loreley rock rises here 132 metres above the Rhine and is made of dark clay slate.
Vine growing on steep slopes
Vine growing in Sankt Goarshausen is focused on steep sites. The slopes protect against cold winds, while the Rhine surface reflects warmth. The town belongs to the protected quality wine and predicate wine growing region Mittelrhein, in which Riesling accounts for around two thirds of the vineyard area. The vineyard directory lists under Sankt Goarshausen Burg Katz, Burg Maus, Heßern and Loreley-Edel.
Grape varieties and wine styles
Documented varieties include Riesling, Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Muskateller and Regent. The local range of wines includes dry, fine and slightly sweet, and sweet Rieslings, Kabinett and Auslese wines, dry Spätburgunder, Riesling Sekt as well as rosé wines. For a dry Kabinett wine, Riesling grapes from Loreley-Edel and Burg Maus are combined with grapes from the Nocherner Brünnchen.
History and cellaring work
Historically, vine growing was an important means of livelihood alongside fishing, as only a narrow strip of land could be used on the Rhine. Sankt Goarshausen received town rights in 1324 and developed below Burg Katz; Burg Maus lies above the town district of Wellmich. Documented cellaring work includes the ageing of Spätburgunder from old vines in Tonneaux and barrique casks, the must fermentation of Grauburgunder for a rosé wine, and the production of Blanc de Noir and Rotling.
