Location and Orientation
Mount Schloßberg is the official vineyard site, which is also known as Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg. It lies to the west of Rüdesheim am Rhein in the Rheingau, on the bend in the Rhine known as the Binger Loch. The vineyard is situated opposite Bingen and the Mouse Tower, between the Rhine and the Taunus slopes.
Steep Slopes and Climate
The steep vineyard site, oriented from south to south-west, ranges from around 120 to 160 metres in altitude. The slopes have an incline of roughly 65 to 70 percent and are characterised by vineyard walls, terraced areas and dry-stone walls. High levels of sunshine are complemented by light and warmth reflected from the Rhine. The Taunus protects the site, while the rocky soils and walls store heat.
Soils and Grape Varieties
Taunus quartzite and phyllite slate form the geological material of the shallow, stony and well-drained soils. Quartzite and slate store heat and contribute to the mineral character of the wines. The classified area covers about 27 hectares; the grape varieties listed are Riesling and Spätburgunder. Rieslings from this site combine ripe fruit with a distinctive acidity and a mineral character.
Name and Cultivation
The name of the site goes back to Ehrenfels Castle, which was built around 1211 as a fortification and customs fortress. Today, only the castle ruins remain. In the parcel farmed by the winery Weingut Künstler, the quartzite soils have been repeatedly deep-ploughed (rigolt), meaning they were loosened and unified before new planting by double digging and working the ground.
