Location on the Moselle
Wehlen is a district of Bernkastel-Kues on the River Moselle in the area of the Middle Moselle in Germany. The locality belongs to the Moselle.
Steep slopes and soils
The vineyard area of Wehlen covers 47 hectares of steep slopes. The vineyards are planted on stony, loamy soils that have developed from slate clay.
Wehlener sundial
Opposite the village lies the Wehlener sundial, a steep slope facing south-west with a gradient of about 60 to 100 per cent. As a classified grape variety, Riesling is recorded there; the local conditions produce elegant and fine Riesling wines.
Viticulture and history
Viticulture in Wehlen has been documented since the ninth century. A bishop’s tithe determination dated 28 September 874 mentions vineyards and wine tithes in Wehlen. The sundial that gave the area its name was built in 1842 by Jodocus Prüm; the designation Wehlener sundial was introduced around 1900 for the steep slope situated opposite the village.
