Location on the Moselle
Ürzig lies in the area of the Middle Moselle on a wide bend of the Moselle. The place is surrounded by vineyards and forest. A wooded ridge of hills protects the municipality and its vineyards from northern winds, while south-facing slopes are exposed to the warming sun.
Steep vineyards and soils
The steep vineyard slopes fall down to the Moselle and form half-circular vineyard hills around the settlement. The Würzgarten lies opposite vineyards of soil and forms a very steep amphitheatre facing south to south-east. It extends from about 110 to 220 metres above sea level; the slope gradient is 20 to 80 per cent.
The Würzgarten is characterised by red volcanic and slate-influenced soils with a high proportion of weathered rock and an iron-rich red colouring. The Goldwingert has deep, grey-red slate soil with a high proportion of stones. Its south-facing orientation and the rock outcrops on three sides promote a locally warm microclimate, to which the surface of the Moselle also contributes.
Riesling and wine-growing
Wine-growing on the steep slopes around Ürzig is labour-intensive and presents considerable challenges for cultivation. In the Würzgarten, Riesling vines are cultivated in single stake training; the Goldwingert is planted with own-rooted Riesling vines.
The Rieslings from the Würzgarten are described as delicate-fruited to full-bodied, spicy and deep-rooted. The wines from the Goldwingert are characterised as elegant, delicately fruited and lively, with a balanced character.
History and vineyard sites
According to the municipality’s own description, Ürzig looks back on more than 2,000 years of wine culture. The name Würzgarten is connected with the medieval production of herb-spiced wines and the creation of herb gardens; the form of the name Vurzegard is documented for the 13th century.
In the official listing of vineyard sites for the 2024 harvest, Würzgarten and Goldwingert are listed as single vineyard sites in the district of Ürzig, within the Moselle and the Bernkastel area. The Würzgarten is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®; the directory specifies 50.7 hectares of planted area for the Würzgarten and less than one hectare for the Goldwingert.
