Location and Classification
The Rheingrafenberg is an official single vineyard within the winegrowing region Rheinhessen. It lies in the municipal district of Frei-Laubersheim, in the area of Bingen, and within the collective vineyard Rheingrafenstein.
The wine site covers 36 hectares and is situated at around 185 to 260 metres above sea level. Its exposures range to the south, south-east and east.
Soils
A documented soil unit is a volcanic stone Rigosol formed from light-coloured magmatic Rotliegend rock. The shallow to medium-depth, stony sandy loam is well aerated, low in nutrients, acidic, warms up easily and can be rooted through moderately.
In addition, loess-pararendzina occurs. This calcareous, ice-age windblown sand soil is deep and fertile, consists of light loam with clayey silty components, stores a great deal of water available to plants, is sufficiently aerated and can be rooted through well.
Grape Variety and Wine Styles
Riesling is documented at the Rheingrafenberg. The wines are offered as Frei-Laubersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling and include dry, off-dry and Kabinett versions. The terms Qualitätswein and Kabinett-Prädikatswein are also documented.
With the Vulkanstein-Rigosol, mineral, stony and smoky notes, as well as citrus and stone fruit aromas, are associated. The wines show lively freshness, pronounced acidity and a structured profile with a need for maturation. The loess-pararendzina is associated with aromas of yellow fruits, apple, peach, pear and citrus, as well as a comparatively slender, refreshing structure and moderate acidity.
Name History
The name Rheingrafenberg is connected with earlier territorial rulers and the nearby Rheingrafenstein. In a surviving historic vineyard map from 1901, the site is already recorded.
