Location and classification
Schlößel is an officially registered single vineyard in Neustadt an der Weinstraße with parcels in the local districts of Gimmeldingen and Mußbach. The official vineyard number is 820905. The 2024 vineyard register lists 19.2 hectares in Gimmeldingen and 10.0 hectares in Mußbach, for a total of 29.2 hectares of planted vineyard area. Schlößel belongs to the Großlage Meerspinne in the wine-growing region Pfalz and to the area Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße.
Topography and soils
Schlößel is regarded as the lowest-lying vineyard site in Gimmeldingen. The site is set back from the mountain and is largely level; towards Mandelgarten it rises to a gently sloping area inclined to the north-east. For the classified area, a south-easterly aspect, an altitude of 190 to 210 metres and an average slope of 15 per cent are given. The soils consist predominantly of light Buntsandstein scree and sand with local deposits of loam and limestone; the soil profile is classified as gravelly Buntsandstein.
Grape varieties and wine styles
For the classified area of 19.40 hectares, Riesling is specified. In addition, Spätburgunder is documented in a 0.9-hectare parcel farmed by the A. Christmann winery. From Schlößel, dry Rieslings as well as sweet Rieslaner wines are produced, including late selections (Spätlesen), Beerenauslesen and Trockenbeerenauslesen. A documented Spätburgunder is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®.
Special features
Gimmeldingen is described as a comparatively cool site with a nightly flow of cold air from the Palatinate Forest, which is considered a factor for Riesling cultivation. The name Schlößel is traced back to the nearby Hildenbrandseck, which previously belonged to the estate of Idig. For the documented Spätburgunder parcel, selective hand-harvesting is specified at 100 per cent, spontaneous fermentation, a proportion of 10 per cent whole berries and maturation in barriques.
