Location and Landscape
Juffer Sonnenuhr is a vineyard site in Brauneberg on the Mosel. It is located on the left bank of the Mosel opposite the town and covers about 10.5 hectares. The site extends around the rock formation with the vineyard sundial and lies near the Roman wine press.
Aspect and Soil
The steep-slope vineyard is oriented from south-southeast to south-southwest and lies at an altitude of around 110 to 170 metres. The documented slope angles are approximately 65 to 80 per cent, and according to the municipality up to 87 per cent. The southern exposure, the immediate proximity to the Mosel, wind protection and the site-specific microclimate shape the location. The soil consists of shallow, very stony, weathered Devonian slate with a high proportion of clay.
Grape Variety and Wine Styles
For Juffer Sonnenuhr, Riesling is documented as the grape variety. Wines from this site include dry Rieslings as well as wines from the Prädikat levels Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese. The Rieslings are made both dry and with residual sweetness. The VDP lists Juffer Sonnenuhr as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®.
History and Cultivation
At the foot of the Juffer Sonnenuhr slope there is a Roman wine press dating from the 2nd century, which was uncovered in 1990 during land consolidation work. The name Juffer has been documented since about 1790 and is associated with three unmarried daughters of the Electoral Palatinate chamber councillor Wunderlich. Juffer Sonnenuhr is regarded as the central part of the larger site Juffer. The steep slate slopes are traditionally worked by hand and read selectively by hand.
