Location and classification
Haarberg-Katzensteg is a designated single-vineyard site in the Wöllstein cadastral district. It belongs to the Bingen area and to the Rheingrafenstein grand cru in Rheinhessen. The site is listed in the official wine sites directory under number 710512; Wöllstein is given as the place.
Soil and wine profile
The soil consists of loess and pararendzina formed from calcareous dust deposited during the Ice Ages. Documented are deep, light loam with clayey silty matter, high water-storage capacity available to plants, adequate aeration, richness in nutrients, a lime content, medium warming ability, good root penetration and a high growth potential.
Wines from this type of soil are associated with notes of yellow fruit as well as aromas of apple, peach, pear and citrus. The profile is described as fine-fruited, slender and refreshing with mild acidity, medium structure and early drinking ripeness.
Meaning of the name
The name combines the Middle High German “har” for flax with “Steige” for a steep ascent. “Katze” refers to the historical path, which is said to have been so narrow that only a small animal could go along it.
