Location and classification
The Ameisenberg is a legally registered single vineyard in Sankt Goar. It belongs to the Großlage of Burg Rheinfels, to the Loreley area and to the wine-growing region Mittelrhein. The site is documented in the cadastral areas of Sankt Goar and Werlau; for both areas, the vineyards directory lists less than one hectare of planted vineyard area. The vineyard number is 320201.
Topography and soil
The Ameisenberg lies on the steep slopes of the Gründelbach valley, around 300 to 500 metres from the Rhine and at roughly 85 to 140 metres above sea level. The aspect is described as south-easterly; the slopes are given as having a gradient of about 30 to 60 percent. A producer document states for the Ameisenberg and the Frohwingert up to 70 percent and a south-south-easterly aspect.
The geological foundation consists of Devonian slate with loess deposits overlying it. The soil is described as clayey scree over slate bedrock; also mentioned is lighter clayey slate weathering soil from the Singhofen formations and loamy scree over the slate subsoil.
Grape variety and wine style
For the St. Goarer Ameisenberg, Riesling is documented. A single-vineyard wine from old vines is described as juicy and finely mineral, with a fruity character. Another Riesling designated as Ameisenberg is bottled as a sweet Prädikatswein (Spätlese) with fresh acidity.
Name and cultivation
The vineyard name has been recorded since the 14th century in the form “ame Ameysberg”. The cultivation includes repeated manual work in the vineyard, including leaf work, reducing yields or selection, sorting and hand harvest at the optimum time.
