Location and Classification
Kachelberg is an official single vineyard in the wine-growing region of Rheinhessen, in the area of Bingen and within the Großlage of Adelberg. The vineyard geodata assigns the location to Ensheim and Lonsheim. The planted area amounts to 160 hectares.
Topography and Soils
The site forms a rounded hill at an elevation of 150 to 250 metres. The aspect shifts from south-east to south-west. The limestone soils can be traced back to tertiary marine deposits, which are connected to a limestone algae reef.
In the area of limestone rendzinas, the soils are shallow to medium-depth, very chalky, stony and sandy-loamy. They have good aeration and warmth-retention, but only store a limited amount of plant-available water and make root penetration more difficult. The marl pelosoils are deep, calcareous clay soils with swelling clay, limited drainage and aeration, and more difficult rooting.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
On the limestone and marl soils, various grape varieties are grown. Kerner is documented as a Kachelberg wine in an Ensheim Kachelberg Spätlese from the year 2024. Spätburgunder is found in wines with the name Ensheim Kachelberg; in addition, a cuvée of Cabernet Mitos and Spätburgunder from the Ensheimer Kachelberg and the Albiger Hundskopf is also documented.
The wines from the limestone rendzina area are described as aromatic and lively, with citrus, apple and redcurrant flavours that can develop into mango and passion fruit. A balanced acidity as well as mineral or chalky notes shape this style. The wines from the marl pelosoil area are fuller-bodied and denser, with moderate acidity, a creamy texture and ripe aromas of tropical and stone fruits.
Historical Name
The name Kachelberg is first documented in 1442 in the form “in kachelberge”.
