Location and classification
Hipperich is a classified single vineyard in Guldental in the Nahe wine-growing region. The official directory of winegrowing sites lists the vineyard under Guldental, Gemarkung Heddesheim, with 60.0 hectares of vines planted.
Aspect and soils
The parcels are oriented towards the south-west to the south and have a slope of approximately five to 30 percent. Hipperich is characterised by weathered Rotliegend with reddish sandy loam. In the lower and middle parts, the soil is described as weathered red sandstone with a reddish sandy loam admixture; in the upper part, there are clay-rich soils with a high proportion of gravel.
Microclimate and grape varieties
The upper area is considered cooler and windier than the lower one. The longer ripening period is associated in particular with Riesling, while Grauburgunder and Chardonnay are assigned to the area of red sandstone.
Wines and vinification
Documented wines from Hipperich include Riesling Kabinett and Spätlese, as well as Grauburgunder, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Scheurebe in dry, delicately sweet, semi-dry and sweet styles. A Riesling Kabinett has been described with a slight residual sweetness and fresh, aromatic character. For the 2005 vintage, documentation includes 45-year-old Riesling vines, a selective harvest in mid-October, yields reduced to 30 hectolitres per hectare, maceration time, 21 days of controlled fermentation and maturation on fine lees until February 2006. A dry Riesling Spätlese from the 2016 vintage was harvested cool, left on the skins for longer, pressed gently and fermented slowly.
