Location and Climate
Kieselberg is listed as a vineyard site for Oberhausen an der Nahe in the wine-growing sites register of Rhineland-Palatinate. The place is located on the Nahe. In the upper Nahe area and its side valleys, cooler air masses from the surrounding higher elevations ensure later ripening of the grapes than in the warmer parts of the Nahe.
Aspect and Soils
The south-facing, sunny steep slope shows terraces of sand and gravel that formed from Quaternary river deposits. The documented soil profile is a brown earth-rigosol with deep, gravelly sandy loam over loamy gravel sand. The soil offers limited rooting space, sufficient water storage, good drainage and a weakly acidic soil reaction. Slate soils with proportions of melaphyre, porphyry and gravel are also described.
Grape Variety and Wine Style
Riesling is documented as the grape variety grown and bottled at the Oberhäuser Kieselberg. The light, gravel-rich soils are associated with wines that are less full-bodied, lively and aromatic. Notes of lemon, grapefruit and yellow apple are mentioned; with sufficient soil moisture, peach and apricot aromas may also be added.
Ripening Development
The acidity remains perceptible even at ripeness. The wines develop generally early and reach their main ripening potential after about two to three years.
