Location and Size
Kapelle is a single vineyard in Gau-Bickelheim in Rheinhessen. It belongs to the Großlage Kurfürstenstück in the Bingen area and lies on the slope of the Wißberg near the Gau-Bickelheim Kreuzkapelle. The south-facing site stretches across around 200 to 270 metres above sea level and covers 36 hectares.
Soils and Wine Style
On soils of marl and pelosoil, which were formed from calcareous clay deposits of the Tertiary Sea, wines grow with full body, dense structure, moderate acidity and a creamy texture. Ripe tropical fruit or stone-fruit notes characterise this style.
The calcareous limestone and rendzina soils that are also found are associated with tertiary marine deposits of a limestone algae reef. They are shallow to medium-depth, very high in limestone, stony and well aerated. The wines produced from them are described as expressive, lively and aromatic, with balanced acidity and a mineral-limestone character.
Name and History
The single vineyard is named after the Gau-Bickelheim Kreuzkapelle. The local magistrate Johann Jakob Hees donated half of his vineyard in 1755 to build the chapel.
Cultivation and Maturation
For the vineyards of Winzerhof Schnabel, which include documented plots in Kapelle, work in the fruiting zone, yield reduction and berry selection are described. The estate has cultivated its vineyards ecologically since 2019; the 2022 vintage was the first officially certified organic wine vintage. In the cellar, maceration time, gentle processing of the grapes and measures to preserve berry quality are used.
