Location and classification
Koppelstein is a single vineyard designation spanning more than one municipality in the winegrowing region Mittelrhein. It is recorded in the municipalities of Braubach and Lahnstein, specifically in the cadastral area of Oberlahnstein. The site belongs to the large site of Marksburg and to the Loreley area. Its official vineyard site number is 320603.
Terrain and climate
Koppelstein lies between Oberlahnstein and Braubach in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The terraced landscape extends from about 60 to 80 metres in the valley floor up to about 200 to 220 metres on the main terrace. The area is characterised by steep slopes, rocky outcrops and south-facing scree slopes.
The climate is influenced by the Atlantic and is sub-oceanic. It features mild winters, warm summers, a mean annual temperature of around 10 °C and a mean annual rainfall of around 500 to 550 millimetres. The maximum rainfall occurs in summer.
Soils and vineyard areas
The area is made up of low-lime schist formations of the Lower Devonian. In the valleys, gravel and loess can be found, while parts of the mid-level terraces show loess deposits. On the steep slopes there are shallow, nutrient-poor brown soils; deeper and wetter gleys are confined to the valley floor.
The official 2024 vineyard sites list shows for Koppelstein, in both the cadastral area of Braubach and the cadastral area of Oberlahnstein, less than one hectare of planted vineyard area each.
Historical use
Historical records document vineyards at the lower Mainzberg in 1872. There, vine growing apparently ceased until 1938 and had completely disappeared by 1978.
