Location and Aspect
The Bastei is a vineyard site in Traisen in the Nahe. It lies directly above the Nahe at the foot of the Rotenfels massif. The south-facing vineyard areas are at around 120 to 140 metres above sea level and have a slope of roughly 40 percent, partly 40 to 60 percent.
Climate and Soils
The light-coloured rock face and the Nahe reflect sunlight; in summer, this leads to heat build-up. The Rotenfels massif provides protection from wind and unfavourable weather. The rock stores heat during the day and cools significantly at night. Geologically, the site is shaped by volcanic rhyolite, weathered volcanic rock and rhyolite debris. The soil contains a high proportion of stones as well as stony, gritty loam and slope debris.
Vines and Wines
As a classified grape variety, Riesling is indicated; at Gut Hermannsberg, the vines in the site are 100 percent Riesling. Documented are dry Rieslings, VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS, as well as Rieslings from the Prädikat levels Beerenauslese, Spätlese and Auslese. The wines are described as having pronounced minerality, notes of stone fruit, firm body and comparatively restrained acidity.
Classification and History
The Bastei is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® or a Grand-Cru site. The VDP directory lists the classified area as 1.00 hectares; Gut Hermannsberg describes the broader classified site with 2 hectares and its own holdings with 1 hectare. The vineyard site was established in 1870; the first vintage of the Bastei wines from Gut Hermannsberg dates from 1941. The site is farmed by the VDP wine estates Gut Hermannsberg and Dr. Crusius.
