Location and landscape
The single vineyard Burg Bischofstein is located in Hatzenport in the wine-growing region Mosel. It stretches for about 2.5 kilometres from the village entrance in the direction of Moselkern to below Burg Bischofstein. Steep slopes and small terraces lie between the Schrumpf valley and the area below the castle; the Dolling forms a small plateau between the Schrumpf valley and the Elberbachtal.
The vineyards facing south-east receive relatively early morning sunshine. The slopes in Hatzenport reach gradients of up to about 70 per cent and are characterised by favourable wind conditions and strong sunlight.
Soils and viticulture
The soils are described as weathered Devonian slate with loose, fine-grained structure. For Burg Bischofstein, in addition, deep, loamy soils over slate as well as Rotliegend and strongly quartzitic slate are documented. Historically, vines were partly planted on dry stone walls; surviving walls show the former extent of viticulture. The official register of wine-growing sites lists 4.9 hectares of planted vineyard area for the single vineyard.
Grape varieties and wine style
Riesling is an important grape variety in the site and is grown by several local producers. In individual plots, Dornfelder, Spätburgunder and Cabernet Dorsa are also documented. Rieslings marketed as Hatzenporter Burg Bischofstein range, depending on the producer and cuvée, from dry or delicate off-dry to sweet or light-sweet. One local producer describes the Rieslings from the site as relatively fruity and, within their interpretation of the site, as more exotic than Rieslings from warmer-oriented locations.
Name and classification
The name-giver is the medieval Burg Bischofstein, which stands on the Mosel between Hatzenport and Moselkern. Burg Bischofstein is registered as a single vineyard in the Großlage Weinhex in the Mosel area under wine-growing site number 440509.
