Location and landscape
Leckzapfen lies in the municipality and cadastral area of Osthofen in the sub-region of Wonnegau within Rheinhessen, near the Bechtheimer Hohl. The vineyard site is on the Neuberg plateau above Osthofen and the Rhine plain.
Soil
The soil consists of loess over pararendzina. The calcareous airborne dust was deposited during the Ice Ages. The profile is deep, fertile and calcareous, with light loam, clayey silt, a high plant-available water storage capacity and good root penetration.
Grape varieties and wine style
The most important grape variety groups cultivated at Leckzapfen include Riesling, Silvaner and Burgundian varieties. Riesling and Silvaner have been documented; the Burgundian varieties are not broken down further. The wines are associated with apple, peach, pear and citrus notes, as well as a rather slender to moderately robust structure, a refreshing character and a mild acidity.
Name and history
The name refers to a miniature-vineyard tower built in 1891 by Gustav Friedrich Weißheimer, a Grund- und Mühlenbesitzer from Osthofen, which was initially called Gustavsburg. The vineyard and the structure later passed to the Schill family and, in the early 20th century, to Schill-Malz. The miniature castle was restored from 2007 to 2011; on 28 December 2011, the construction project was officially completed. In the official vineyard sites directory for 2024, Leckzapfen is listed as an individual vineyard site (Einzellage) of the Großlage Pilgerpfad.
