Location and Landscape
The Kapellenberg is an officially listed single vineyard site in Maikammer in the wine-growing region of Southern Wine Route, in the Pfalz. It belongs to the large vineyard area of Mandelhöhe and lies west of Maikammer, below the Kalmit, towards the Haardt. From the vineyards, the view extends across the Rhine plain.
Topography and Soils
The site extends to the edge of the forest below the Kalmit. Parcels directly at the forest edge, as well as further down the slope, are documented. The soils include sandy loam and limestone; massive limestone with loam is also described, as well as Bunter sandstone over a layer of clay at the forest edge. Towards the forest edge, heavy soils with lighter limestone components change into lighter sand soils, which are probably associated with Rotliegend material.
Climate and Grape Varieties
The Kapellenberg lies below the Kalmit. Winegrowing in Maikammer benefits from the protection of the Palatinate Forest and a mild climate. In the Kapellenberg, Pinot varieties are grown, including Chardonnay, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder.
Wines and Designation
Documented single-vineyard wines are dry white wines made from Chardonnay, Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder, as well as a dry Spätburgunder. The descriptions mention clear fruit, a firm structure and mineral or saline impressions. Cultivation includes short vine training, yield reduction, late selective hand-harvesting and nature-oriented farming. The designation Alsterweiler Kapellenberg refers to Alsterweiler, which was formerly an independent village with a chapel and was later incorporated into Maikammer. For a documented Spätburgunder, fully destemmed grapes are described, along with gentle fermentation with remontage without racking over and a two-year maturation in second-fill barriques. A documented Chardonnay matures partly after fermentation in stainless-steel tanks and in tonneaux.
