Location and Classification
Felsen is an officially registered single vineyard (Einzellage) in Wonnegau in Rheinhessen. It extends across the municipalities of Dintesheim and Eppelsheim. The wine-law classification is: Wonnegau region (Bereich Wonnegau), Bergkloster grand cru (Großlage), and Felsen single vineyard (Einzellage Felsen).
Area and History
The 2024 vineyard register lists 43.7 hectares of planted vineyard area for the Dintesheim section and 108.6 hectares for the Eppelsheim section. The site was documented in 1834 under the name “bei dem Felsen” (near the rock). The name refers to an isolated rock.
Soils
The documented soil types include loess-pararendzina and limestone-rendzina. The loess soils are deep, calcareous and fertile, with good water storage available to plants. The rendzina soils formed from tertiary marine limestone reef deposits are shallow, very calcareous, sandy and stony, with limited water storage and reduced rooting depth.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
In the Eppelsheim Felsen, Riesling, Silvaner, Portugieser and Pinot varieties are planted. A local winery also reports that it grows mostly Pinot varieties there. Loess-pararendzina is associated with fresh, fruit-forward wines with moderate acidity and medium structure. On limestone-rendzina, aromatic, mineral and chalky wines are produced with balanced acidity and ageing potential.
