Goetheberg

The Goetheberg is the legally designated single vineyard of Obernhofer Goetheberg in the Lahn Valley of the winegrowing region Mittelrhein near Obernhof on the Lahn. The south-facing vineyard lies at up to about 100 metres from the Lahn, at approximately 100 to 200 metres above sea level, and has an average slope of around 50 to 65 percent.

The vines are mostly planted on slate and greywacke. In the eastern lower third, Devonian greywacke loam rubble can be found, with a higher water-retaining capacity and a less acidic soil reaction. At the Goetheberg, Riesling and Spätburgunder are documented. The Gemeinschaft Bürgerweinberg is planted mainly with Cabernet Cortis and Souvignier gris; along the path and the vineyard wall, historical table grape varieties were also set out.

Winegrowing in the Lahn Valley has been documented since the 13th century. A parcel now assigned to the Obernhofer Goetheberg was, from 1905/06, the Cutting Vineyard II of the Royal Teaching Establishment for Fruit and Viticulture in Geisenheim. The former vineyard Adel Hahn has already been recorded for 1319 and was replanted after a longer period of use as a forest. Parts of the Goetheberg were cleared and replanted after around 50 years of abandonment and reforestation as part of a land consolidation procedure.

The Gemeinschaft Bürgerweinberg was cleared in winter 2018/19 and replanted in spring 2020. The current area covers 3,796 square metres, of which 2,687 square metres are planted with vines. Documented work includes mechanical cultivation of the soil, care of vine stocks, mowing, mulching, tying-in, work on the leaves, the construction of wire trellis frames, as well as the restoration of greywacke vineyard walls. In February 2024, a roller hoe was used for mechanical weed control; herbicide use was not required. Documented wine styles range from dry, fine-bodied and sweet Riesling to dry Spätburgunder, as well as fine-bodied Spätburgunder rosé. The Goetheberg Riesling is described as juicy, mineral, slender and acidity-driven, with aromas that often bring to mind local fruit. In addition, the Gemeinschaft Bürgerweinberg produces dry Souvignier gris as well as dry Cabernet Cortis wines, including a Blanc de Noir. The documented Cabernet Cortis from the 2022 vintage was fermented dry and remained on the skins for about nine days.