Location and Landscape
Sackträger is a single vineyard in Oppenheim within the Nierstein area and the larger site of Güldenmorgen in Rheinhessen. Below the Herrenberg, it extends across gentle to steep slopes facing east-southeast. A documented section shows a gradient of 25 to 30 percent.
Climate and Soils
The site is considered warm and sheltered from wind. The ridge, in the protection of the Rhine valley, and the development of Oppenheim shield it from cold north-easterly winds. The soils include calcareous marl with a loess covering, loess and calcareous marl, as well as strongly weathered limestone in the subsoil. As topsoil, loess and colluvium are documented with a humus-rich topsoil and very good root penetration.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
The State Winegrowing Estate Oppenheim cultivates 1.9 hectares in Sackträger. Riesling, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay and Roter Riesling grow there. In addition, Silvaner, Gewürztraminer and Spätburgunder are successfully cultivated in the site. The wines are described as full-bodied with elegant acidity; in addition, there is buffered acidity, yellow fruit, as well as impressions of apple, pear, peach, chalk and smoke. Their structure is initially described as slender and straight, and with increasing ripeness as more expressive.
Name and Classification
The name of the site has been documented since 1475 as “hinder dem sacktreger thorne”. Later names include “Hinder dem Sacktregerthurn” from 1540 and “auf dem Sackträger” from 1757. The name refers to the former Sackträger guild of Oppenheim, which transported goods from the Rhine to the higher-lying town and defended the associated tower of the town fortifications. Sackträger is classified by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®.
