Site and Climate
The Kirchenstück is located in Forst in the growing region Pfalz, directly behind the Forst church and immediately adjacent to the village settlement. Sandstone walls and buildings store the warmth of the day. Redirected air currents create in the evening a warm, dry movement of air that drives away moisture and cold.
Topography and Soils
The site, oriented to the east to the south-east, lies at an altitude of around 120 to 140 metres and has a slope of 5 to 10 percent. In places, it is enclosed by a sandstone wall knee-high. The documented soils include sandy loam, clay marl, loam, limestone scree, sandstone and basalt. In the middle section there is a deep layer of clay; at a depth of about two metres there is a water-bearing limestone bedrock.
Classification and History
The VDP-classified area covers 3.00 hectares. Kirchenstück is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® of Pfalz for Riesling; in the site only Riesling is grown. In the early 19th century, the vineyard was known as Kirchenbuckel and previously belonged to the Hochstift Speyer. A Bavarian state land survey assessed the soil quality in 1830 with the highest score of 65.
Wine
The Kirchenstück GG by Von Winning is described as a dry Riesling from the Forst Kirchenstück. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in 500-litre wooden casks; afterwards, the wine matures for around one and a half years on the lees.
