Location and classification
Kirchberg is a single vineyard in the Kempten district of Bingen am Rhein. It lies below the Rochus Chapel on the eastern part of the Binger Rochusberg, with a slope facing the Rhine. The official register of wine-growing sites lists the site in the area of Bingen, the Großlage St. Rochuskapelle, in the Rheinhessen wine-growing region under wine-growing site number 710605.
Relief and soils
The site, which is oriented from south-east to east, lies at around 100 to 180 metres above sea level according to the VDP demarcation and has a slope of 10 to 30 percent. The upper sections are considered comparatively windy and dry. The geological subsoil consists of quartzite; above it are stony, sandy loams or loam-löss soils. The calcareous, medium-deep and well-aerated soils store a moderate amount of water and are generally low in nutrients. Iron oxide in the quartzite can colour parts of the soil reddish.
Grape varieties and wine style
Riesling is the predominant grape variety. As classified varieties, the VDP lists Riesling, Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder; for the broader single vineyard, Spätburgunder is also documented. The wines are described as having pronounced slate and flint minerality, lively acidity, freshness and a comparatively lean structure.
History and classification
The name has been documented since 1726 as “im Kirchberg” and is presumably traced back to the nearby parish church in Kempten or the Dreikönigskirche. The official register shows 15.6 hectares of planted vineyard area for the 2024 harvest vintage; the VDP defines an area of 17.00 hectares and classifies its demarcation as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®. For a documented 2024 vintage, fully ripe grapes were hand-harvested, quickly destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts in the traditional single cask made from local oak and matured on full lees.
