Location and classification
The Klosterberg is a registered single vineyard site in the municipality of Nieder-Olm. It lies within the Großlage of Gutes Domtal and the sub-region of Nierstein in Rheinhessen, flanked by Nieder-Olm, and offers views over the Selztal valley. The Wilhelm-Holzamer literature trail runs through the site.
Terrain and soils
The vineyards are located at an altitude of between 140 and 220 metres and are officially west-facing. Plots on a south-west slope are also described, as well as the slope’s course towards Zornheimer Berg. The soil consists of limestone and Rendzina from tertiary marine deposits of a calcareous algae reef. It is shallow to medium depth, very calcareous, stony and sandy-loamy, and shows a low level of water storage available to plants, good aeration and good warming potential.
Grape varieties and wines
On plots of the Nieder-Olm Klosterberg, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Riesling are grown, including in the sites Ober der Geierschell and Am Hübrich. The wines are described as mineral and chalky, with balanced acidity; the fruit ranges from citrus, apple and gooseberry to mango and passion fruit. Dry, structured white wines are documented.
Cultivation and name
The plots are farmed with low yields and intensive manual work. For Pinot Gris, a green harvest, de-leafing of the grape zone, hand harvesting and the selection of fully ripe grapes are documented. Selected wines are aged separately in small high-quality stainless-steel tanks, fermented spontaneously and stored for a longer period on fine lees. The name Klosterberg is traced back to a settlement of the Mainz monastery; in the early Middle Ages, Nieder-Olm belonged to the Archbishop of Mainz.
