Location and Terroir
The vineyard listed as Herrenberg is documented as Valwiger Herrenberg near Valwig on the Moselle, close to Cochem. The south-facing, terraced steep slope along the river bank has inclinations of about 60 percent or more. Shallow to moderately deep, stony slate soils characterize the site; greywacke, weathered slate and small proportions of loess or quartzite are also documented.
Climate and Cultivation
Slate stores the sun’s warmth and releases it again after sunset. The terraces are accessed via numerous vineyard tracks. Steep-slope cultivation is maintained at the Valwiger Herrenberg; with the exception of a few inaccessible upper terraces, the vineyard is cultivated throughout. The grapes are selectively hand-harvested in a documented operation.
Variety and Wine Styles
Riesling is the most important documented grape variety of the site; one producer cultivates their parcel there exclusively with Riesling. From the Valwiger Herrenberg, dry, delicately robust and noble-sweet Rieslings are known, including Kabinett, Spätlese and Auslese. Described are filigree, fruity-elegant profiles shaped by the slate.
Name and Classification
The name Valwiger Herrenberg refers to the former ownership of the Lords of Valwig. A documented wine from the site is classified as Qualitätswein b.A.; other producers also list site wines as Prädikatsweine, including Spätlese and Auslese. At the winery Dax, white wines are fermented and matured predominantly in stainless-steel tanks.
