Location and classification
The Mönchbäumchen is an officially documented single vineyard site in Zornheim. It belongs to the Großlage Gutes Domtal in the Nierstein area of the Rheinhessen winegrowing region.
Relief and soils
The vineyard site lies at around 170 to 235 metres above sea level. Roughly 30 percent of the terrain is hilly, 70 percent is flat. The soils consist of calcareous marl and loamy clay and are classified as marl-pelosol from calcareous, clay-rich tertiary marine deposits.
The soil is deep, rich in lime and contains clay. Its high proportion of clay that is capable of swelling limits the supply and aeration of water; at the same time, it has a high content of nutrients and lime, as well as a difficult entry for roots.
Grape varieties and wine style
Riesling is documented for the Zornheim Mönchbäumchen. According to the winery Becker, most of its red grape varieties are also grown on the slopes of this site.
The marl-pelosol soils are used to produce full-bodied, dense and substantial wines with moderate acidity and a creamy texture. As fruit aromas, ripe notes of mango, apricot and honeydew melon are described.
Name history
The name refers to monks of Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau. In the Wahlheim estate, in the Zornheim area there were 21 morgen, which were predominantly planted with vines; “Bäumchen” refers to the vines. Under the vineyard and winegrowing legislation, the historical site names there were brought together into five official Zornheim sites at the beginning of the 1970s, including the Mönchbäumchen.
