Location and Geography
Heiligenhaus, also Saulheimer Heiligenhaus, is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Saulheim in the Nierstein area and in the Domherr region of Rheinhessen. The vineyard area covers 114 hectares. The site ranges from 160 to 220 metres in altitude and faces north-northeast.
Soils
Documented are loess over pararendzina as well as marl over pararendzina. The loess forms deep, fertile and calcareous loamy soils with a high amount of water available to plants. The marl consists of calcareous deposits of clay and sand, which are connected to the former tertiary inland sea of the Mainz Basin.
Name and History
The name of the site goes back to a freestanding wayside shrine, or a wayside image post, in the vineyard area. The wayside shrine has been documented as early as 1429 and stood on a historic pilgrimage route between Bingen and Worms.
Grape Variety and Winemaking
Winery Brodrecht grows Scheurebe in its parcels in Saulheimer Heiligenhaus. The wines from these parcels are described as fresh, acidity-focused and finely creamy; the Scheurebe is deliberately developed with sweetness. Winery Landgraf lists biological cultivation, mechanical care of the vines at the base, greening of the rows and extensive work by hand for its Saulheim vineyards. The grapes are picked by hand in several passes. For white and red wines, extended mash contact times, indigenous yeasts, biological acid reduction and longer yeast ageing are used; ageing takes place in stainless steel, tonneau or barrique.
