Location and Landscape
The Höllenberg is a vineyard site in Assmannshausen, a district of the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein in the Rheingau. A large part of the vineyard areas lies on the slopes of the Eichbachtal, a side valley of the Rhine. The site, facing south to south-south-west, is situated at around 140 to 160 metres above sea level.
Climate and Soils
The Rhine helps to stabilise temperatures. The valley location provides warm conditions during the day, while the nearby Taunus slopes influence cooler morning and evening hours. The Höllenberg is steep; the VDP lists inclines of 50 to 65 percent, while the description of the site assigns a gradient of 45 percent. Characteristic is purple phyllite slate, a stony subsoil with heat-storing properties. The steep areas are divided into terraces, which are supported by dry-stone walls.
Grape Variety and Wine Style
As a classified grape variety for the Höllenberg, Spätburgunder is indicated. Spätburgunder wines associated with the site are described as full-bodied, with pronounced fruit and fine acidity. In addition, the Kloster Eberbach winery links the Höllenberg to an independent, firmly structured character.
History and Classification
Spätburgunder has been cultivated in the vineyards that today belong to the Höllenberg for more than 500 years, probably already since around 1470. The name is presumably derived from the Old High German term Helda for a steep slope. The Höllenberg is classified by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 8.00 hectares. Since the 1920s, Kloster Eberbach has operated a wine cellar at the foot of the site, where Spätburgunder wines ripen; the Höllenberg Spätburgunder is fermented gently there and matured in traditional wooden casks.
