Site and Climate
Ölsberg is a historic vineyard site in Oberwesel within the wine-growing region Mittelrhein. The site is located directly on the Rhine, at a striking bend in the river. The Meerbachtal valley separates its south-western and north-eastern sections. The south to south-easterly aspect and the proximity to the Rhine favour a warm microclimate; in addition, the river can reflect sunlight onto the vineyard. The site shows a comparatively low risk of frost and above-average temperatures in the local area.
Steep Slopes and Soils
Ölsberg is a pronounced steep-slope site with gradients of around 60 to 70 percent. The VDP-classified area lies at roughly 70 to 150 metres above sea level and is terraced with natural stone and dry-stone walls. The parent rock consists predominantly of Devonian slate. Weathered slate is overlaid in places by loess clay; in the upper soil layers, red sandstone (Buntsandstein) occurs. In the north-eastern section, loess and calcareous components are also documented.
Cultivation and Grape Varieties
The steep terrain requires extensive work by hand, including vine pruning, disbudding and positioning the shoots, work on the canopy, and harvesting. Both trellis training on wires (Drahtrahmenerziehung) and individual stake training (Einzelpfahlerziehung) are documented; these are used in parts of the steep-slope site. Targeted ground cover between the vine rows serves to improve soil structure, promote humus formation and provide protection against erosion. As part of the land consolidation in 2003, a vineyard-wide irrigation system was established. Riesling is the most important grape variety and the classified grape variety of the VDP area; in addition, Spätburgunder is found sporadically in the wider Ölsberg area.
History and Wines
The land consolidation of 2003 included partial cross-terracing, larger working areas and access paths to preserve the cultural landscape. In the parcel area In der Rheinhelle, there are verifiably vines that are more than 70 years old. Ölsberg belongs to the Großlage Schloss Schönburg and covers around 5.9 hectares in Oberwesel; the part classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® extends over 4.49 hectares. From this site, dry Rieslings as well as noble-sweet wines, including Spätlese, are documented.
