Location and landscape
Falkenberg is a single vineyard in the municipality of Dienheim, in the Nierstein area and within the Großlage of Güldenmorgen in Rheinhessen. The vineyards lie above the wine-growing village in the landscape of the Rhine terraces.
The east-facing site receives sunshine from the morning until midday. A nearby hill protects against cold westerly winds and helps to retain warmth in the vineyard. The entire Falkenberg lies at about 140 to 190 metres above sea level. The upper parcels, classified as VDP sites, are located at 140 to 160 metres and range from gentle to steep slopes with up to 30 percent gradient.
Soils and viticulture
Falkenberg has loess bands with clay, coarse limestone and shell limestone. As a soil type, marl and pararendzina are documented, including calcareous clays and sands from deposits of the Tertiary sea.
The area classified as FALKENBERG comprises three parcels in the upper part of the single vineyard and 2.00 hectares. Riesling is classified as the grape variety. The more broadly defined site Dienheimer Falkenberg is described with several grape varieties; their wines are considered to be finely fruited and elegant.
Classification and history
FALKENBERG, Dienheim is designated by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®; Riesling is the classified grape variety. The name of the wine-growing site probably refers to the Counts of Falkenstein. In 1423, Oppenheim had jurisdiction over the Dienheim district; from 1429 to 1497, Dienheim belonged to the rule of the Counts.
Protected landscape feature
In the Dienheim cadastral district, a protected landscape feature measuring 4.6 hectares with the name Falkenberg is designated. There, without the approval of the responsible nature conservation authority, no biocides may be used and no organic or mineral fertilisers may be applied.
