Location and Extent
Hochbenn, also known as Dürkheimer Hochbenn, is a vineyard site in Bad Dürkheim in the wine-growing region Pfalz. The officially stated area is 51.5 hectares; the VDP lists 39.00 hectares as classified area. The slopes, which are predominantly oriented to the south and east, lie at 140 to 200 metres above sea level and have a gradient of 10 to 12 percent. To the west, the Palatinate Forest provides protection from the elements, and to the east the Spielberg ridge.
Soils and Grape Varieties
Documented are limestone and marl, bunter sandstone and loess. The VDP names loess loam and shell limestone; it also describes soils well supplied with moisture with loess, clay and loam. As a grape variety classified by the VDP, Riesling is listed. In a vineyard plot of Lebenshilfe Bad Dürkheim, Riesling and Weißburgunder are planted.
Wine Style and Vinification
The local tourism office links Hochbenn particularly with fruity, spicy Rieslings. For the 2024 vintage, the winery Egon Schmitt documents, for a Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling, yield reduction, pre-selection of damaged and unripe grapes, short must maceration time, gentle pressing and temperature-controlled fermentation at around 18 to 20 °C.
Historical Reference
The name Hochbenn is associated with the historical forms “Bende” and “Beunde” and is attested in 1381 in the form “in den Benden”. In the nearby area of Annaberg, an approximately 2,000-year-old Roman villa is also documented.
