Location and classification
Äffchen is a single vineyard site in the municipality and cadastral district of Wöllstein, in the Bingen area. It belongs to the Großlage Rheingrafenstein in the wine-growing region Rheinhessen. The vineyard register lists it under number 710511 with 103.4 hectares of planted vineyard area.
Topography and soils
The site is described as a south-facing slope protected from wind. Its deep, calcareous loam comes from tertiary marine deposits and is classified as marl, or as pelosol. The high proportion of gravel promotes rapid warming of the soil and sustained heat release during the night.
Grape varieties and wine style
For Äffchen, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Silvaner are documented. The soil profile is associated with full-bodied, dense and substantial wines, moderate acidity and pronounced ripe fruit characteristics.
Name and vinification
The site is documented in 1522 under a historical name. The regional explanation traces the name back to the Rheinhessen term for elm trees. For a Riesling from Wöllsteiner Äffchen, manual harvesting, several hours of must maceration, gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation and around five months of yeast ageing on the fine lees are documented.
