Location and wine-growing region
Spay is a wine-growing village on the Rhine in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and belongs to the wine-growing region Middle Rhine. The vineyards are linked to the Bopparder Hamm and the Großlage Gedeonseck.
Slopes and site conditions
The Spay slopes in the Bopparder Hamm are oriented to the south, are around 130 metres high and have a gradient of 40 to 70 per cent. The Rhine acts as a heat reservoir, while the heights of the Hunsrück protect against westerly winds. The broad floodplain area opposite the river reduces horizon shading compared with narrower valleys.
Single vineyard Engelstein
The single vineyard Engelstein belongs to the Großlage Gedeonseck and extends over parcels in Boppard as well as in the Oberspay district. It is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® . The roughly 60 per cent steep site, oriented from south to south-west, has soils of weathered Devon slate with admixtures of pumice. Areas with a stronger influence of loess and clay are contrasted with areas covered by volcanic ash; accordingly, the availability of water varies.
History and cultivation
For the winegrowing associated with Spay and the Bopparder Hamm, the first documentary mention has been handed down from the year 643. Around 1700, Spay is said to have owned more than 300,000 vine stocks. Between 1900 and 1910, powdery mildew repeatedly led to crop failures. Today, the municipality’s vineyard area is around 70 hectares, with Riesling the most important grape variety. Traditional steep slopes are shaped by dry stone walls; the Engelstein was excluded from the land consolidation and was recultivated in larger areas between 2002 and 2006.
