Location and Relief
The St. Martiner Kirchberg, locally also known as the Wingertsberg, lies below the Breitenberg in the Haardtrand-Wingertsberg nature reserve, near Sankt Martin in the Pfalz. The vineyard site comprises terraced steep slopes with gradients of up to 40 per cent. A documented section is entirely oriented to the south and lies above 300 metres in altitude.
Climate and Soil
In this section, at night, cold air flows from the adjacent valley, leading to large temperature differences between day and night. The Kirchberg is characterised by red sandstone and sandstone weathering soil.
Vine Growing and Landscape Management
The terraced Wingertsberg was restored between 2010 and 2017 as part of a land consolidation process for viticulture and nature conservation, after the areas had become overgrown with bushes and shrubs. Eight local winegrowers cultivate the documented steep-slope section of the Kirchberg. Grazing areas are kept open between the plots and are used for landscape management. The documented Wingertsberg wines are produced exclusively from hand-picked grapes.
Grape Varieties and Wines
At the Kirchberg, Riesling is documented, including a selection from old, own-rooted Riesling vines. Under the designation St. Martiner Kirchberg, wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also documented. The recorded site wines include dry Riesling, a dry Riesling Auslese and dry Pinot Noir. The name and boundaries of the wine-growing site are recorded in the system of the vineyard register for approved geographical indications.
