Location and classification
The Rote npfad is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Flonheim within the Adelberg grand cru and in the Bingen sub-region of Rheinhessen. The official designation is Flonheimer Rotenpfad; the name Erbes-Büdenheimer Rotenpfad is also documented.
Landscape and soils
The Adelberg rises within the wine-growing area. On it stands a Trullo, a vineyard shelter building erected in the 18th century. The site is located close to the sandstone quarries of Flonheim. Documented are deep, calcareous, clayey-silty loam soils on loess over pararendzina, as well as shallow to medium-deep, calcareous, stony clay loams from Rotliegend-Rigosol. For individual plots, loess and loam soils with volcanic rock components, including basalt, are also described.
Climate and wine style
The growing area is described as having many hours of sunshine and low rainfall. On loess and pararendzina, fruity, refreshing wines are produced with moderate structure and mild acidity. The Rotliegend-Rigosol soils are associated with herbal and spicy notes, mineral components, lively acidity and ageing potential. Wines from Rotenpfad plots of the Meyerhof estate are described as full-bodied, fruit-forward and mineral.
Grape varieties and cultivation
Portugieser is documented for a 2006 wine from the Flonheimer Rotenpfad. The Meyerhof estate cultivates plots in the site and converted its twelve hectares of vineyard area to organic viticulture between 2017 and the 2020 vintage.
