Location and Topography
The Bernkasteler Doctor is a single vineyard site above the historic town centre of Bernkastel in Bernkastel-Kues on the Middle Mosel. It belongs to the Großlage Bernkasteler Badstube. The steep slope facing the Mosel has a gradient of around 60 to 70 percent, turns from south-west to south, and lies at an altitude of approximately 130 to 190 metres.
Climate and Soils
The south-south-westerly to southerly exposure allows long-lasting, intensive sunshine. At the same time, the site is exposed to wind. In winter, comparatively mild conditions prevail there; snow melts earlier than in neighbouring sites. The soil consists mainly of dark, stony Devonian shale with a high proportion of fine earth. The weathered shale stores heat and can retain water.
Vines and Wines
The vineyard, which is about 3.2 to 3.25 hectares in size, is planted with Riesling. Because of the steep terrain, cultivation is carried out mostly by hand, as access by machine is difficult. A considerable part of the area is planted with own-rooted vines; one winery states an average age of more than 60 years for its vines. The wines are described as fine, full-bodied, spicy and mineral. The VDP classifies the Bernkasteler Doctor as VDP.GROSSE LAGE.
Name and History
According to a local tradition, the name is associated with a story from the 14th century, according to which the Elector and Archbishop Boemund II of Trier is said to have been healed by Bernkastel wine. This healing story is regarded as a legend. It is documented that the British king Edward VII drank Berncasteler Doctor as a medicine. A wine from the 1893 vintage was sold in 1904 at a presentation in Berlin for ten gold marks per bottle. In 1882, Dr. Hugo Thanisch acquired, according to the historical account of the winery, a 6,000 square metre parcel in the Bernkasteler Doctor for 17 gold marks per vine.
