Location and landscape
The Bockstein is located in Ockfen in a side-valley setting of the Saar, which opens up around the town like an amphitheatre. The slopes, which face from south-east to south-west, lie at around 180 to 320 metres above sea level and have gradients of approximately 38 to 80 percent. The Bockstein rock is part of this steep valley landscape shaped by the Saar.
Climate and soils
The wine-growing area is exposed to cool winds from the Saar valley, while a forested ridge provides protection from fall winds. The soils consist mainly of skeletal, weathered soils from Devonian slate and greywacke. Locally, quartzitic sandstone and yellow fine earth occur. The slate was formed during the folding of the Rhenish Slate Mountains.
Grape variety and wine styles
For the classified Bockstein area of around 58 hectares, Riesling is listed as the grape variety. Documented Rieslings show a smoky-mineral character, are finely spiced and full of character, with Riesling fruit and salty freshness. The Bockstein is grown as a dry Grosse Gewächs as well as for Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese wines.
Classification and history
Bockstein is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®. According to the VDP rules, wines from this site must use regionally defined grape varieties, be selectively harvested by hand at physiological ripeness and, as a matter of principle, observe a maximum yield of 50 hectolitres per hectare. The VDP gives indications of winegrowing at Bockstein as far back as Roman times; in addition, the site was previously owned by the Prussian kings.
