Location and landscape
The Adelpfad is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Engelstadt in the Bingen area and part of the Großlage Kaiserpfalz. The documented vineyard area covers 108 hectares. The winegrowing site lies in a side valley of the Selz, whose climate is described by the municipality as mild. A meadow ditch runs through the area, while the Selz borders it on one side.
Altitude and soils
The Adelpfad is located at an altitude of 180 to 230 metres and is oriented north-northwest. The predominant soil is calcareous marl clay (tonmergel) over Pelosol from tertiary marine deposits. The deep, nutrient-rich soil is difficult for roots to penetrate. In addition, there is shallow to medium-deep, very calcareous and stony Rendzina soil from tertiary deposits of calcareous algae reef.
Grape varieties and winemaking
Riesling and Müller-Thurgau grow in the Adelpfad. The site is associated with full-bodied Müller-Thurgau as well as dense, full-bodied Riesling wines. A documented Adelpfad Riesling is described as dry, with salty-spicy acidity, a mineral character and a long finish. For this wine, hand harvesting and strict selection of grapes are carried out; fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks and wooden casks, followed by storage on the lees until the following summer.
Historical designation
The Adelpfad was first documented in 1370 under the name “an dem adelphade”. The name refers to a ditch or watercourse and not to nobility.
