Location and classification
Katzenstein is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Kindenheim in the Pfalz. The official register of wine-growing sites assigns it to the Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße area and the Grosslage Grafenstück.
Topography and geology
The wine-growing site lies above Kindenheim at around 200 metres above sea level and is oriented towards the south-east. Its documented geological subsoil consists of massive limestone.
History and climate
Katzenstein is described as an old, traditional vineyard site. The name is given by a large, light-coloured, rock-like limestone formation, which is associated with a prehistoric place of worship. The open site is exposed to westerly winds. For the Kindenheim vineyards, higher rainfall than in the Mittelhaardt, a vegetation period beginning one to ten days later, and a longer ripening phase under cooler autumn conditions are documented.
Grape variety and wine
Winery Neiss planted Syrah in Katzenstein in 1996. From this site, a dry red wine is produced under the name Kindenheim Katzenstein Syrah. For the single-vineyard wines, selective hand harvesting and a maximum yield of 60 hectolitres per hectare are documented; the red single-vineyard wines mature in large wooden casks or barriques.
