Location and classification
Elster is an officially registered single vineyard in Forst an der Weinstraße in the Pfalz. It belongs to the Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße area and lies on the southern edge of the town between the Deutsche Weinstraße and the Haardtrand.
Topography and soils
The comparatively flat site extends from 120 to 145 metres above sea level. It is oriented from north to south and has an average slope gradient of four percent. The soil consists of Buntsandstone gravel and loamy sand; in addition, exposed patches of coloured weathered sandstone occur.
Vineyard areas and wines
For the 2024 harvest, 7.7 hectares of planted vineyard area have been officially recorded. The VDP single-vineyard profile indicates a classified area of 8.00 hectares. Riesling is listed there as the classified grape variety; according to information from a local winegrowers’ association, Riesling and Spätburgunder are also grown predominantly. The light, sandy soils are associated with fruity wines and usually harmonious acidity. In special vintages, naturally sweet wines are also documented from particularly ripe grapes affected by botrytis cinerea.
Name and classification
The name Elster is derived from the place-name Ellerstadt and not from the bird with the same name. The site was among the historical Forst single-vineyard names, which were retained during the 1971 reform of German wine law. The Landwirtschaftskammer Rheinland-Pfalz lists Elster as wine site number 820810 within the Großlage Mariengarten. The VDP classifies Forster Elster as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®; this classification is a private VDP classification and not a statutory German designation for wine.
