Location and classification
Rosenheck is an officially registered single-vineyard site in Bad Kreuznach, in the cadastral district of Winzenheim and in the wine-growing region Nahe. In the directory of vineyard sites, the site is listed under number 510131. The registered planted vineyard area in the 2024 harvest year was 13.7 hectares.
Terrain and soils
The vineyards are oriented towards the south-east and lie at around 160 to 200 metres above sea level. The slope angle is given as 10 to 40 percent; one winemaker describes the terrain as facing south to south-east, with a slope of about 90 percent. The soils mentioned are deep-rooted loam over clay or marl-loam, as well as clay and deep-rooted marl-loam.
Grape varieties and wines
Riesling is the most important documented grape variety of Rosenheck. Grauburgunder is also evidenced in a wine referred to as a Winzenheimer Rosenheck. Wines from the site are listed, among others, as Riesling Kabinett, Riesling Spätlese and Riesling Auslese. One winemaker describes them as fine-fruited and aromatic, with a pronounced varietal character and harmonious acidity.
Name and winemaking
The name Rosenheck is explained by Rosenheck hedges, which are said to have stood there before the vineyards were established. Wines from the vintages 1934, 1959, 1972 and 1973 are documented in historical records and auction documents. For a Rosenheck Riesling, hand-harvesting, whole-cluster pressing, spontaneous fermentation in a temperature-controlled stainless-steel tank, as well as the subsequent ageing on full lees and then, in a stainless-steel tank, on fine lees, are described.
