Location and landscape
The Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstück is an in-city wine-growing site in Worms in the Wonnegau, a sub-region of Rheinhessen. It surrounds the Liebfrauenkirche and is associated with the collective site Liebfrauenmorgen. The relatively flat site, oriented in a north-south direction, lies at about 90 to 100 metres above sea level.
Climate and soils
The in-city location contributes to a comparatively warm local climate. An enclosing wall provides protection from wind. The soils consist of loess with Rotliegend material, as well as locally weakly sandy loam. In deeper layers, sand and gravel are found, which are interpreted as remnants of an old course of the Rhine; regionally, ice-age river deposits of gravel, sand and loam, or Rigosol, are also described.
Grape variety and classification
Riesling is the most important grape variety grown and is listed in the VDP profile as a classified grape variety for the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® segment. The VDP states 3.80 hectares for the classified area.
History
The winery and its wine are considered to be the origin of the name Liebfrauenmilch. Historically, the site belonged to the church’s property of the Capuchin monastery associated with the Liebfrauenkirche. The name Liebfrauenmilch is mentioned in writing in 1687 in a travel report by Maximilien Mission. After secularisation, Peter Joseph Valckenberg acquired vineyard plots in 1808; parts of the site are still linked to the family-run winery Valckenberg.
