Location and classification
Heil is an officially recognised single vineyard in the Wallertheim cadastral district. It belongs to the Großlage Kurfürstenstück and to the area of Bingen in Rheinhessen. In the official vineyard register, it is listed as the single vineyard Heil under vineyard register number 710410. The planted area is 35.3 hectares.
Soils
The soil associations documented are marl/pelosol and limestone/rendzina. Marl/pelosol consists of deep, calcareous clay from tertiary marine deposits with clay that swells, limited permeability and aeration, and a high nutrient and lime content. Limestone/rendzina is a shallow- to medium-depth, very calcareous and stony sandy loam from tertiary marine deposits in connection with calcareous algae reefs. These soils store little available water, warm up well and have a limited rooting depth.
Wine style and grape varieties
Marl/pelosol is associated with full-bodied, dense and rich wines of moderate acidity and a creamy texture, which can show ripe fruit aromas such as mango, apricot and honeydew melon. On limestone/rendzina, expressive, lively and aromatic wines are described with citrus, apple and gooseberry when young, as well as mango and passion fruit at maturity; these are complemented by balanced acidity, mineral and chalky notes, elegance and potential for development.
Documented Heil wines include, among others, Silvaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Spätburgunder, Gewürztraminer and Gelber Muskateller. A dry Silvaner is described as full-bodied, juicy and rich, with mint, pineapple and ripe apple. A dry Sauvignon Blanc shows paprika, gooseberry and mint. The dry Spätburgunder has ripe tannins, aromas of dried plum and dark forest berries, and a soft finish. Gewürztraminer and Gelber Muskateller are documented as mildly sweet and dry wines.
Name and vinification
The name of the vineyard is attested as early as around 1600 as “in der Heilen”. For Heil wines of the Heimatliebe line, the winery Kern documents targeted canopy work and a reduction of yields to about half of the usual amount. A documented Heil Spätburgunder from this winery is matured in barrique.
