Location and Size
Schieferlay is a legally recorded wine-growing site in the municipality of Dernau in the Ahr wine-growing region in Germany. The vineyard register lists it under plot number 110119 and, in the 2024 yield sites directory, shows an area of 19.8 hectares. A local site profile describes the designated area as 21 hectares.
Relief, Aspect and Geology
The wine-growing site covers elevations from 125 to 260 metres. Around 90 per cent of the area falls on steep slopes, about ten per cent on sloping terrain. The main aspect is described as facing east and is interrupted by side valleys; in addition, sections oriented to the south-west are documented. Geologically, Schieferlay is characterised mainly by greywacke and slope loess. The greywacke is assigned to Devonian sandstone.
Vines and Wine Style
About 15 hectares are planted with Spätburgunder. One hectare each accounts for Frühburgunder, Portugieser, Regent and Riesling. For the greywacke sections, fresh and floral wines are described, while the areas shaped by slope loess produce fuller wines.
Climate and Development
Dernau lies in the rain shadow of the Ahr and has comparatively low rainfall and mild winters. Before land consolidation, parts of Schieferlay were uncultivated. The later construction of paths, the consolidation of plots and the removal of smaller boundary walls made cultivation more efficient, as well as modern wire training systems.
Documented Wine Making
For a Dernauer Schieferlay Spätburgunder from the 2006 vintage, a hand harvest with strict selection at the sorting table is documented. The grapes were fermented on the skins; afterwards, biological acid reduction took place. The wine matured for eight months in barriques; the yield was 26 hectolitres per hectare.
