Location and classification
Pfaffenberg is an officially recognised single vineyard site in Walporzheim, within the municipality of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler and the Ahr winegrowing region Ahr. The site belongs to the Großlage Klosterberg in the area of Walporzheim/Ahrtal.
Topography and soil
Pfaffenberg lies north-west of Walporzheim above the sites Alte Lay and Kräuterberg, around one kilometre east of the monastery of Marienthal. The south-west-facing slopes are at approximately 180 to 260 metres above sea level and have a gradient of about 10 to 30 per cent. The soil consists of a clay-influenced subsoil over slate and greywacke.
Vineyard area and grape varieties
The documented vineyard area covers around 16.3 hectares. As the most important documented grape variety, Spätburgunder is planted. For wines from Walporzheim’s Pfaffenberg, Frühburgunder and Portugieser are also documented.
Documented wines and history
Documented are dry red wines made from Frühburgunder and Portugieser. For a Pfaffenberg Frühburgunder from Brogsitter, hand-harvesting is documented, with selection of the grapes for a site-specific wine; ageing took place for up to 18 months in barriques. A Portugieser from the 2011 vintage was macerated on the skins for four weeks and then aged for eight months in new wood. A local historical source also lists Pfaffenberg under the formerly monastery-owned cadastral divisions of Ahrweiler.
