Location and classification
Ritterpfad is a vineyard registered as a single-vineyard site (Einzellage) in the wine-growing region of Mosel, in the Saar area. The site extends over the cadastral areas of Kanzem and Wawern in Rhineland-Palatinate. In the official wine-sites register it carries the number 460266. The register status for 2024 shows less than one hectare planted in Kanzem and 15.2 hectares planted in Wawern.
Topography and climate
Ritterpfad faces south, lies at an altitude of about 264 metres, and has a gradient of 45 per cent. The municipality of Wawern describes the vineyard area, including Ritterpfad, as the sunniest area on the Saar and the town’s valley as climatically favoured.
Soil and classification
The soil is described as slate. Technical details for a Ritterpfad wine cite fine red and grey weathered soils from Devon slate, as well as heavy, iron-rich slate and red slate. The VDP lists Ritterpfad in Wawern as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 17.00 hectares.
Grape variety and wine-making
The classified grape variety is Riesling. Documented bottlings include delicately sweet Riesling Kabinett and dry Riesling. For a bottling of the 2019 vintage, cultivation in a nature-friendly manner, a reduction in yields, and a late selective hand harvest are cited. Fermentation took place spontaneously; the wine matured for eight months in stainless-steel tanks and large wooden vessels and was bottled without fining agents.
