Eichelberg

Eichelberg is designated as a single vineyard site in the area of Bingen and in the Rheingrafenstein region of Rheinhessen. The officially described parcels are located in the cadastral districts of Fürfeld and Neu-Bamberg. The Fürfeld sub-area comprises 27 hectares, lies at an elevation of 190 to 270 metres, and faces south. Eichelberg belongs to the Neubamberger Riegel, a landscape of porphyry hills between around 250 and 320 metres. An extremely low-rainfall climate prevails there.

In Fürfeld, Rotliegend and Rigosol soils occur, made up of calcareous clay and fine sand. They are shallow to medium-depth, calcareous, stony and loamy-clayey, absorb heat well and store only limited water available to plants. Further areas consist of shallow, very stony volcanic stone brown soils formed from dark lava of the Rotliegend. These soils are sandy-clayey, well aerated and heat-absorbing, with an impaired rooting depth. In Neu-Bamberg, volcanic stone and Rigosol soils over light-coloured igneous Rotliegend determine the site; they are shallow to medium-depth, stony, sandy-loamy, low in nutrients, acidic, well aerated and heat-absorbing.

The soil profiles of Fürfeld are associated with lively acidity, mineral components and fruit notes of peach, apricot and melon. For the wines, ageing potential is described. From Neu-Bamberg, mineral, stony, smoky and flinty notes as well as aromas of apple, peach and citrus fruits are cited; the wines show lively freshness and a firm acidity and require ageing. The classified Neu-Bamberger VDP estate comprises 1.80 hectares and produces Riesling as well as other grape varieties.

The vineyard name has been documented since 1521. It may refer to an earlier acorn fattening operation or the abandoned settlement of Eich. A documented Eichelberg wine from the 2020 vintage by Weingut Steitz consists 100 per cent of Pinot Noir and was matured for 40 months in barrique barrels.