Michelsberg

Michelsberg is a single-vineyard site in Mettenheim in the Nierstein area of the wine-growing region Rheinhessen. The vineyard site lies on an exposed, cone-shaped spur. The terrain slopes from north to south as well as from the pavilion towards the east. A documented Spätburgunder parcel is described as a south-easterly sloping area with a moderate gradient.

The documented soil type is loess-pararendzina. It was formed from calcareous dust that was deposited by the wind during the Ice Ages. The deep, light loam with clayey silty components is calcareous and rich in nutrients; it can be easily penetrated by roots and has a high capacity for water storage available to plants.

The vineyard name is documented for the year 1586 as hinder sannt Michels Berg and is associated with the patronage of St. Michael documented for 1496. A complex of vineyards with a pavilion, retaining walls and associated buildings was designated in 2004 as a protected heritage conservation area due to its significance for the history of Mettenheim and for winegrowing.

For one of the Mettenheimer Michelsberg produced by Sander, Spätburgunder is documented. The 2021 vintage is a dry red wine in the quality wine category with 14% alcohol, 6.6 g/l acidity and 0.5 g/l residual sugar. The grapes from old vines were thinned and repeatedly re-sorted before the harvest at full ripeness. After prompt fermentation, the young wine matured for 24 months in barriques. For the area around Mettenheim, Sander also documents organic soil management with manure, compost, straw and cover-crop plants; this information refers to the producer.