Location and classification
Hörnchen is an officially recorded single vineyard in the municipality and cadastral district of Laubenheim in the wine-growing region Nahe. It belongs to the Nahetal area and to the Großlage Schlosskapelle. In the wine-growing sites directory of Rhineland-Palatinate, a total of 19.4 hectares of vineyard area were recorded for 2024.
Landscape and soils
The vineyards of Laubenheim lie between the Nahe and the south-eastern slope of the Hunsrück. The wind-sheltered valley slopes of the lower Nahe area are described as favourable for viticulture. A historical report on winegrowing assigned Hörnchen together with the neighbouring site Kommissär and named clay and red earth soils for this combined site.
Grape varieties and wines
Historically, for the grouping Kommissär–Hörnchen, Riesling and smaller plantings of Sylvaner were recorded. For Hörnchen, in more recent times Riesling, Roter Riesling and Grauburgunder have been documented. The documented wines include dry Riesling, dry Roter Riesling and a dry Grauburgunder Spätlese.
Historical evidence
On the Laubenheim Hörnchen, remains of a Roman water pipe in a sand pit are documented. In addition, the name Hörnchen appears on a historical winegrowing map of the Nahe from 1901.
