Location and landscape
The Kräuterberg is a vineyard site in Walporzheim, a borough of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, in the Ahr wine-growing region. The site lies to the north-east of Walporzheim. Small terraced vineyards shape the steep south-facing slope with an inclination of around 50 percent and an altitude of roughly 150 metres above sea level.
Climate and soils
The strong sunshine on the steep south-facing slope and the protection provided by the valley favour a warm, almost Mediterranean microclimate. The documented soils consist of greywacke, slate and sandy loam; weathered greywacke and weathered slate are also described, with stony, finely sandy loam components.
Grape variety and classification
The classified area of the Kräuterberg comprises 4.74 hectares. Spätburgunder is listed as the grape variety. The VDP classifies the site as VDP.GROSSE LAGE; this private VDP classification is to be distinguished from the statutory German wine-law categories. Documented wines from the Kräuterberg are dry Spätburgunder red wines, including a 2023 vintage by Meyer-Näkel.
Cultivation and vinification
For its Kräuterberg Spätburgunder, Meyer-Näkel documents sustainable work in the vineyard, a reduction in yield, hand harvest and a yield of around 30 hectolitres per hectare. The vinification includes spontaneous fermentation, 20 days on the skins, 18 months of fine lees ageing in barriques with 30 percent new oak, six months of bottle ageing and an unfiltered bottling. Jean Stodden describes the hand harvest and selection of the Spätburgunder grapes as well as 17 days on the skins, malolactic fermentation during ageing in French barriques, around 18 months in fully new barriques and an unfiltered bottling.
