Location and Landscape
Heiligkreuz is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Bechtheim in the Wonnegau and belongs to the Großlage Pilgerpfad in Rheinhessen. The vineyard site lies to the south-west of Bechtheim. Around 80 percent of its area is on a slope with a south-facing aspect; a further description also gives a south-south-west orientation.
Soil
The soil consists of loess over pararendzina. The deep, light loam with its clayey silty loam shows a high plant-available water storage capacity, adequate aeration, a high nutrient content, calcareous properties and good root penetration. A technical description also mentions a loess layer over sandy loam.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
From Heiligkreuz, wines made from Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Silvaner, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder are documented. The site description links the wines with aromas of yellow fruit, apple, peach, pear and citrus fruits, as well as a sleek, refreshing profile with gentle acidity, medium-strong structure and juicy elegance. A documented Silvaner appeared fuller and more powerful than a typical light summer wine.
Name and Production
The name is documented as early as around 1500 as “yn der gewanden gegen dem heyligen Creuz” and refers to a wayside cross. A historical tradition also mentions an earlier pilgrimage church and a stopover point on the route to Santiago de Compostela. For documented wines, among other things, hand harvesting, yield reduction, gentle processing, temperature-controlled fermentation and ageing on fine lees are evidenced. A Chardonnay was fermented and matured in small oak barrels.
