Location and classification
The Kirchenstück is a single-vineyard site in the cadastral area of Ober-Ingelheim, in the Bingen area, in the Kaiserpfalz region of Rheinhessen. The vineyard lies directly behind the castle church on the Mainzer Berg in Ingelheim am Rhein. The fully west-facing slope extends from 127 to 185 metres above sea level.
Soils
Documented is a calcareous rendzina from tertiary marine deposits and calcareous reef material from algae. The soils are shallow to medium-depth, very stony and rich in lime; they store only a limited amount of water available to plants, ventilate well and warm up well; at the same time, root growth is restricted. Further descriptions mention shell limestone, loess and sandy-loamy to loamy soils. The proportion of loess decreases upslope, while weathered soils from shell limestone become more prominent.
History and grape variety
The site is documented in 1370 under the name “an dem kirchenstück”. The name refers to land to support a monastery kitchen, or to church property, and it is also linked to the neighbouring castle church. The Kirchenstück is planted with Frühburgunder.
Wine character and cultivation
Wines from the calcareous rendzina are described, with earlier ripening, as having aromas of citrus fruits, apple and gooseberry, which can develop into mango and passion fruit. In addition, they feature a well-balanced acidity as well as mineral, chalky, deep and age-worthy characteristics. For the vineyards, natural-style cultivation is documented, including sowing nitrogen-fixing plants, reducing yields in summer and selective hand-harvesting.
