Location and Landscape
The Kirchenstück is a single vineyard site in Hohen-Sülzen in the Wonnegau area and within the Großlage Domblick of Rheinhessen. The VDP classifies a 6.71-hectare sub-section as VDP.GROSSE LAGE. This includes areas in the site areas Hinter der Kirche, Am Griebelsteinchen and Am Täubertspfad, and represents only a small part of the more extensive single vineyard site.
Aspect and Soils
The classified area lies at around 130 to 150 metres above sea level. The slope gradient is 0 to 20 percent, and the aspect ranges from south to south-west; the terrain falls slightly towards the south and south-east. Documented soils include limestone with loess and sandy loam, as well as loess-pararendzina, loam and soft limestone.
Vines and Wine
As classified grape varieties, the VDP lists Riesling and Spätburgunder, with Riesling being the predominant variety. For the site, dry Riesling VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS and Spätburgunder VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS are documented. The oldest vineyard plots of Battenfeld-Spanier were planted in the 1960s.
History and Wine Making
In 1297, the site is documented under the name iuxta Kirchenstücke. The name is interpreted as a reference to the proximity to the church and is either linked to land for a monastery kitchen or to church property. In the past, the Kirchenstück was also known as Griebelstein, a name associated with the soft, chalky stones. In the event of risk of frost, the use of a small wind machine to generate air movement is documented regionally. For the 2011 vintage Pinot Noir from the Kirchenstück, hand harvest, whole-cluster pressing, maturation in stainless steel, unfiltered bottling, biological acid reduction, Brut Nature dosage and more than 90 months on lees are documented.
