Location and history
Walluf lies directly on the Rhine and is described by the municipality as the gateway to the Rheingau. The present-day municipality was formed in 1971 from the formerly independent municipalities of Niederwalluf and Oberwalluf. Walluf is first documented in 770 as “Villa Waltaffa”; a gift of vineyards to the Lorsch Abbey from 779 points to the early history of viticulture.
Viticulture in Walluf
In the municipal area, around 70 hectares of vineyard land are planted. The areas are distributed across Berg-Bildstock with 18.9 hectares, Gottesacker with 4.5 hectares, Oberberg with 8.2 hectares, Vitusberg with 11.1 hectares and Walkenberg with 18.5 hectares. The Rheingau is legally designated as a growing region for quality wine and Prädikatswein.
Vineyard sites and growing conditions
Berg-Bildstock and Oberberg face south-southeast. Berg-Bildstock has loam down to deep loess loam; its wines are considered full-bodied and powerful, with pronounced acidity and ageing potential. Gottesacker is characterised by deep loess loam and loess with good water supply. The name is connected with the former Rodel monastery, founded in 1151, or its cemetery and settlement.
Wine style of the Walluf vineyard sites
Oberberg produces medium-bodied wines with distinctive acidity, whose full range of aromas develops after ripening. The Vitusberg is planted to 85 percent with Riesling; its wines are described as medium-strong to powerful, finely focused on acidity and suitable for ageing. Walkenberg has loam down to deep loess loam over a gravelly subsoil. The hillside position protects the vines from cold Taunus winds, while the nearby Rhine contributes to the wine-growing climate. Its wines are full and rich, with fruit and spice notes as well as pronounced acidity; one to two years of ripening may be required for complete development.
