Location and classification
The Ebersheim sand lies to the south and south-west of Ebersheim, a district of Mainz. The single vineyard site forms part of the Großlage (major vineyard area) of Sankt Alban in the Nierstein area in Rheinhessen. The terrain is sloping and is oriented towards the south-southeast. In the vineyard directory for 2024, 54.6 hectares of vine area are listed for the sand.
Soils
Löss-Pararendzina and marl-Pararendzina have been documented. The löss soil formed from carbonate-rich dust particles deposited during the ice ages and is described as deep, slightly loamy, calcareous, rich in nutrients and well suited to root penetration. The marl soils consist of calcareous loams and sands from former Tertiary marine deposits, as well as from deep, strongly calcareous clay-soil components.
History and wine character
At the end of the 15th century, the site was documented as “off der santgruben”. The current name refers to the sandy soil for the site as handed down. After the land consolidation in Ebersheim, the numerous historical vineyard site names were reduced in 1971 to three named sites, including Ebersheimer Sand.
Wines from the löss-Pararendzina soils are described with yellow fruits, apple, peach, pear and citrus, along with a slender to medium-strong structure and moderate acidity. Wines from the marl-Pararendzina soils are regarded as more full-bodied and strongly structured, with balanced acidity; for white wines, mango, honeydew melon and apricot are mentioned, and for red wines, dark fruits and a smoky spiciness.
