Location and Classification
The name Drachenfels refers to two legally independent vineyard sites: Königswinter Drachenfels in Königswinter and Rhöndorfer Drachenfels in Bad Honnef-Rhöndorf. Both belong to the wine-growing region Mittelrhein, to the Siebengebirge area, and to the Großlage Königswinterer Petersberg.
Areas and Landscape
The legally demarcated area comprises 6.5 hectares for Königswinter Drachenfels and 7.4 hectares for Rhöndorfer Drachenfels. The vineyards lie on steep slopes above the Rhine and are shaped by historic terraces and vineyard walls.
Climate and Soils
The sites are located in the northern Mittelrhein valley under the climatic influence of the Cologne-Bonn Bight. The characteristic parent rock is trachyte; in addition, there is stony loam and, in places, clay-rich soils.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Riesling is significant in the vineyards around Drachenfels. In Rhöndorfer Drachenfels, Scheurebe, Kerner and Rivaner are also grown. Documented are dry and fine-ripe Rieslings as well as Riesling in the Kabinett style.
Historical Development
In the past, the vineyard landscape was divided into many small terrace plots. From the 1920s onwards, consolidations and rebuilding took place before the land consolidation (Flurbereinigung) from 1978 to 1980 created larger units accessible by machinery. After the abandonment of viticulture in parts of the site from 1959, overgrown areas were cultivated again later.
