Location and classification
The Kirchenstück is an officially listed single vineyard within the Großlage Hofstück in the Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße area of the wine-growing region Pfalz. The wine-growing site is located at the transition from the Haardtrand to the Upper Rhine lowlands near Ellerstadt and Gönnheim.
Area and terrain
The Kirchenstück extends across the cadastral districts of Ellerstadt and Gönnheim. In the 2024 register, 97.7 hectares are listed in Ellerstadt and 3.1 hectares in Gönnheim, for a total of 100.8 hectares of planted vineyard area. The terrain is predominantly level to gently sloping and lies at an altitude of about 100 to 120 metres.
Climate and soils
The site is described as warm and relatively dry; the annual rainfall is around 500 to 600 millimetres. The Haardtrand provides protection from cool westerly winds, while cold air from the night can drain into the lowlands. The soils consist mainly of deep loess and loess marl with local sandy and calcareous components. They have a high capacity for storing water and generally contain few stones.
Grape varieties and wine style
In the Ellerstadter Kirchenstück, Riesling and Grauburgunder are cultivated; in addition, Dornfelder is documented for a wine with the designation Ellerstadter Kirchenstück. A documented Riesling from the 2019 vintage was vinified dry, with a compact structure and balanced acidity. The fermentation took place in part using natural yeasts.
