Location and Topography
Marienburg lies on the opposite bank of the Moselle from Pünderich, in a pronounced bend of the Moselle. The south-facing to south-south-easterly vineyard site extends from about 98 to 198 metres in altitude and has slopes of 50 to 80 per cent. Because of the narrow course of the river bends, the hillside on its northern side also slopes down towards the Moselle.
Climate and Soils
The bend of the Moselle creates different microclimates over short distances, as exposure, wind and sunlight intensity vary. The steep site receives intense sunshine and warms up significantly in the summer months. The sheltered Falkenlay area promotes a high degree of ripeness of the grapes.
Marienburg comprises weathered grey, blue and red slate, with the individual areas differing clearly geologically. In the Rothenpfad there is a band of red slate, while in the Fahrlay blue slate predominates, with a high content of stone that penetrates deeply. The deeper-rooted Falkenlay is characterised by grey slate; the rock terrace contains lighter grey slate with iron-bearing layers and is less weathered than neighbouring areas.
Cultivation and Wines
The area classified by the VDP amounts to 17.93 hectares. The Mosel vineyard is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®; Riesling is listed as the grape variety. The steep Rothenpfad, which cannot be reached by road, is farmed by hand with Clemens Busch, without machines. For the Marienburg Rothenpfad Grosses Gewächs, grapes from vines at least 80 years old are used, trained on traditional individual posts. For the Grosse Gewächs, healthy, fully ripe grapes from the site are used.
The wines are associated with youthful fruit aromas, gentle fullness, and later notes of mocha and coffee. Their profile is described as elegant and fine, and it shows ageing potential. From the sheltered Falkenlay there are also sweet Auslese and Beerenauslese wines made from botrytis-selected grapes.
Historical Origin
The name Marienburg comes from the Augustinian nunnery, which used to stand on the height ridge above the site. A church on the Petersberg, which is now associated with Marienburg, was first mentioned in 1127. The Marienburg monastery was founded in 1142 and dissolved in 1515.
