Location and Topography
Geiersberg is a single-vineyard site in the Dittelsheim district of Dittelsheim-Heßloch in the Wonnegau in Rheinhessen. The vineyards lie at the foot of the Kloppberg and form a gently sloping continuation there. For the parcel classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE, a slope of 5 to 10 percent and an altitude of 190 to 210 metres above sea level are documented.
Soil
Geiersberg has deep, calcareous clay marl. The soil is classified as marl pararendzina and contains calcareous loams and sands from Tertiary marine deposits. It is rich in nutrients and strongly calcareous, has a high proportion of clay that can swell, and limited water and air permeability. Its capacity to warm is medium, and rooting is difficult.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
Riesling and Spätburgunder are the predominant grape varieties. For the VDP.GROSSE-LAGE parcel, Riesling is listed as the classified grape variety. The wines are associated in particular with pronounced minerality; Rieslings and Spätburgunder are regarded as complex, precise, concentrated and cool in style.
Designation and History
Geiersberg is entered as a single-vineyard site in the wine-growing sites register of Rhineland-Palatinate. The designation GEIERSBERG as VDP.GROSSE LAGE refers to a 3.2-hectare parcel within the single-vineyard site comprising 84 hectares. The name is traced back to the medieval designation “Geier” for birds of prey and to their reported occurrence at the site.
