Wonsheim in Rheinhessen
Wonsheim lies in the Rheinhessian Switzerland landscape and is shaped by viticulture. The municipality belongs to the Rheinhessen quality wine region, Bingen area, Großlage Rheingrafenstein. The vineyard sites Hölle, Martinsberg and Sonnenberg comprise a total of 14.4, 7.7 and 79.1 hectares respectively, according to the 2024 vineyard register.
Sites and soils
The Wonsheim Hölle lies at about 170 to 240 metres above sea level and is oriented to the south. Here, loess-pararendzina soils can be found with calcareous material, as well as mergel-pelosol soils formed from calcareous clayey deposits of the Tertiary sea. The Martinsberg lies in the Wonsheim area towards Eckelsheim; rare plants grow there.
Grape varieties and wine style
The heavy clay soils of the Martinsberg are combined with Burgundian varieties. On the loess soils of the Sonnenberg, Sauvignon Blanc, Weißburgunder and Auxerrois are grown. The loess-pararendzina areas of the Hölle stand for fruit-forward, fresh wines with moderate structure and gentle acidity. The mergel-pelosol areas produce fuller, denser wines with moderate acidity and a creamy texture.
Historical evidence
Wonsheim was first mentioned in the year 800 as Vuanesheim, when local property was transferred to the Abbey of Fulda. A legal record from 1454 and a boundary description from 1503 mention the vineyard and field names Hölle and Martinsberg. In 1522, the Hölle is documented as being associated with the heroes; the local explanation of the name refers to a slight slope.
