Location and classification
The Kapellenberg is an officially described single vineyard in the municipality of Alzey. It belongs to the Großlage Sybillenstein in the Wonnegau area of the winegrowing region Rheinhessen and is also known as Weinheimer Kapellenberg or Alzeyer Kapellenberg. The documented vineyard area covers 96 hectares.
Topography and soils
The vineyard site lies at around 195 to 285 metres above sea level and faces south. Documented are loess over pararendzina as well as a rigosol formed from Rotliegend. The loess is described as calcareous, dust deposited during the Ice Ages. The Rotliegend consists of calcareous clay and fine sand deposits.
Terroir and wine style
The loess-pararendzina soil is considered deep, calcareous, loamy and rich in nutrients, with high plant-available water storage and good root penetration. On Rotliegend-rigosol, the soils are shallow to moderately deep, stony, calcareous and clayey, with lower water storage and good warming properties. This area is associated with lively acidity, herb and mineral notes, distinct fruit and potential for ripening, while the loess area produces fruit-forward wines with mild acidity, moderate structure and early readiness to drink.
Farming and history
The Alzey town winery farms vineyards in the Alzeyer Kapellenberg. During the growing season, vine pruning, bending of the canes, work on the leaves and selection are among the described activities. Planted varieties include Riesling, Burgundy varieties, Scheurebe, Huxelrebe and Siegerrebe. The wines are pressed gently, the must is clarified and fermented and aged separately by variety; traditional mash fermentation, biological acid reduction and controlled tank fermentation are also mentioned. Red wines mature for longer, white wines are bottled earlier. The name is connected to the chapel to the Holy Blood at the edge of the single vineyard, which was built in 1890; a viewpoint tower with a focus on viticulture was already created there in 1887.
