Hölle

“Hölle” is a single-vineyard site in Nieder-Saulheim, a municipality in Saulheim in Rheinhessen. In the wine-growing hierarchy, it belongs to the Rheinhessen winegrowing region, to the Nierstein area and to the Großlage Domherr.

The south-facing, rising site lies on the west side of Saulheim between two chains of hills. The vineyards are at around 150 to 225 metres above sea level. Owing to the sheltered topography, “Hölle” warms up quickly; warmed air is only limitedly carried away by the wind, creating a warm valley microclimate.

The soils consist of calcareous marl and fertile loess, while limestone lies underneath. Calcareous clay is also described, as well as marl characterised by iron oxides, limestone scree and sea sand from tertiary marine deposits. The name has been attested since the middle of the 15th century as “uff helden” and since the end of the 17th century as “zu höllen”. A Saulheim local chronicle highlighted, in 1963, wines from the historic site “Zu Höllen” among the remarkable wines of Nieder-Saulheim.

At “Hölle”, Riesling and Spätburgunder are documented. “Hölle” Rieslings are described as dry, with pronounced minerality, precise acidity, concentrated fruit and a saline character. A documented Spätburgunder shows itself as mineral, fresh and structured, with red fruit. In addition, a fruit-sweet Riesling Spätlese is documented, from very late, selective harvesting, and with natural residual sweetness.

The vineyards of Thörle have been certified as organic since August 2019; the documented “Hölle” wines from this estate are made from organically grown grapes. For a “Hölle” Spätburgunder, hand-harvest is documented. A Riesling was fermented with natural vineyard yeasts and matured for eight months on full lees, partly in traditional wooden casks and partly in stainless steel. The Spätburgunder matured for around 18 months in French barriques.