Location and classification
Schloß Gutenburg is a single vineyard in the wine-growing region of Nahe and belongs to the Großlage Pfarrgarten in the municipality of Gutenberg. The vineyard area lies in the Gräfenbachtal, a side valley of the Nahe, between Roxheim and Wallhausen. In the official register of vineyards, Schloß Gutenburg is listed as a single vineyard under vineyard number 510208 in Pfarrgarten, as well as in the cadastral district of Gutenberg.
Relief and soils
The vineyards are connected with the ruins of Gutenburg Castle on a striking hill spur above Gutenberg. Parts of the plots show a slope gradient of up to 50 degrees. The soils consist of clearly reddish, sandy and gravelly loam.
Climate and cultivation
The nearby Soonwald protects against heavy rainfall and cold winds. According to the operator, the growing season is one to two months longer than in the Hunsrück. The roughly two hectares of vineyard area with an average vine age of about 30 years are tended entirely by hand on the steep plots. In doing so, yields are deliberately limited and the vineyards are cared for in a nature-oriented way. Wild herbs, flowers and grasses are sown; loam and selected plant extracts are intended to support the vitality of the vines and reduce the use of plant protection products to a minimum.
Grape varieties and wines
Documented varieties include Blauer Portugieser from 1979, Spätburgunder from 1986, Scheurebe from 1978, as well as Riesling from 1953 and 1975. The operator describes the wines of the site as delicate to floral. A documented dry Schloss Gutenburg Riesling from the 2022 vintage is described as mineral, with mirabelle plum and apricot fruit, and a lingering saline-ethereal finish; it has 7.1 g/l acidity, 6.3 g/l residual sugar and 12.5% vol alcohol. A documented Edition Gutenburg Riesling is matured in acacia barriques. The current operator acquired the ruins of Gutenburg Castle in 2015 together with two hectares of vineyard area and produces Schloss-Gutenburg wines from it.
