Location and classification
Biengarten is a legally registered single vineyard site in the district of Gimmeldingen of Neustadt an der Weinstraße in the wine-growing region Pfalz. The site extends between Gimmeldingen and Königsbach at the edge of the forest in the Haardt hills. The 2024 vineyard register lists 19.0 hectares of planted area; the VDP profile specifies 17.0 hectares of classified VDP vineyard land. Biengarten is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®.
Topography, climate and soils
The steep terraces and slopes are oriented from south-east to east-south-east, have a gradient of 10 to 25 percent and lie at an elevation of 185 to 190 metres. A slight hollow offers protection from cold winds. The elevated site receives early-morning sun and is shaded earlier on hot evenings. The soils consist of calcareous marl and red sandstone (Buntsandstein) over limestone; tertiary calcareous marl, Terra fusca and local clay and limestone inclusions are also described.
Grape varieties and wine style
As classified grape varieties, the VDP profile lists Riesling, Weißer Burgunder and Spätburgunder. A parcel by A. Christmann is planted with Spätburgunder vines planted in 1982. For a separate parcel of Sektgut Christmann & Kauffmann, Riesling vines from planting years 1982 and 2016 are documented. The wines from Biengarten are associated with layering, pronounced freshness, lively fruit acidity and spritziness. A documented Riesling Sekt from the site is mineral, full-bodied and made in the Brut Nature style.
Vine cultivation and ageing
In the documented Biengarten parcel of A. Christmann, harvesting takes place selectively by hand in small crates. The vinification includes spontaneous fermentation and a share of 10 percent whole grapes. The documented Riesling Sekt from Sektgut Christmann & Kauffmann ferments spontaneously in wooden barrels and matures for 45 months on the lees. The Biengarten Spätburgunder by A. Christmann is aged for about 16 to 17 months in barriques; in the 2021 vintage, the share of new oak is 10 percent.
