Goldgrube

Goldgrube is the official single vineyard Wolfer Goldgrube in the Wolf district of Traben-Trarbach on the Mosel. The vineyard lies on the left bank of the Mosel opposite the village of Wolf. It belongs to the Mosel growing region, to the Bernkastel area, and to the Großlage Schwarzlay. The official vineyard site code is 410933; the vineyard directory for 2024 lists 8.3 hectares of planted vineyard area.

The site is located on a typical sheer slope of the Mosel and has a slope gradient of more than 60 per cent. The slopes oriented to the south-west are characterised by striking rock outcrops, dry stone walls and horizontal terraces. The orientation ensures intensive afternoon and evening sunshine; slate stones absorb warmth during the day and release it again at night. Rock niches, walls and hollows in the terrain create different local microclimates.

The subsoil consists of Devonian slate, formed from clay sediment deposited in a shallow sea and later transformed into clay slate. In the core area, the vines are traditionally cultivated on individual stakes. The vineyard landscape is preserved by dry stone walls, steep slopes worked manually and narrow horizontal terraces. For documented plots belonging to the Vollenweider estate, partially own-rooted vines are known, including individual vines over 100 years old; the estate works there with certified organic practices, with hand harvest and intensive manual vine care.

Riesling is the most important documented grape variety of Wolfer Goldgrube. Dry, fine-bodied and noble-sweet Rieslings are documented in the styles Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese. For its wines from this site, the Vollenweider estate cites spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, gentle vinification in large wooden casks and stainless steel, as well as longer ageing on the lees. Since 2024, dry wines have been classified by individual plots, including Unterste Jonpfad, Im Schöttel and Im Reiler. A Pinot Blanc plot was acquired in 2018.