Location and classification
Hinkelstein is an officially recognised single vineyard site in Bad Kreuznach in the winegrowing region Nahe. The state vineyard register of Rhineland-Palatinate lists the area as around 42.3 hectares.
Relief and soils
The slopes, which face south-west to south, have gradients of about five to 30 percent. The site is described as consisting of loamy gravel soils over clay of tertiary origin, locally with fine sandy loam. In parts of the vineyard, stony porphyry soils are also mentioned, with a locally higher proportion of clay.
Name and grape varieties
The field name Hinkelstein has been documented since 1612 and referred to a block of unworked limestone found there at the time. The most important grape variety is Riesling. In addition, plantings or wines made from Sauvignon Blanc, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Dornfelder and Spätburgunder are documented.
Cultivation and wine style
Documented are dry Riesling Auslese, dry Chardonnay Spätlese, as well as dry Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder wines. For a Grauburgunder S selection from Hinkelstein, vines of around 30 years old, a yield of about 40 hectolitres per hectare, complete selective hand-harvesting and at least two picking passes are given. The wine receives an extended contact time on the skins, is gently pressed, fermented in new German small oak barrels, and aged for around eight months on the lees.
For a Weißburgunder S from Hinkelstein and Felsenberg, vines of around 40 years old, roughly 45 hectolitres per hectare, and complete selective hand-harvesting are documented. Fermentation and ageing also take place for about eight months on the lees in new German small oak barrels.
