Location and classification
Schloßberg is a legally designated single-vineyard site in the Pfalz, in the area of Südliche Weinstraße and the Großlage Ordensgut. The wine-growing site with the official wine-growing site number 810610 lies in the cadastral districts of Rhodt under Rietburg, and according to the 2024 vintage cultivation directory comprises a planted area of 68.1 hectares. It extends westwards from Rhodt to the edge of the Palatinate Forest and lies on the slopes below Weyher.
Relief and climate
The documented parcels have a south-facing to south-easterly aspect and slopes of up to about 15 per cent. More than half of the area is described as hilly to steep. The proximity to the Palatinate Forest, in individual parcels, leads to earlier shading and the supply of cold air at night. At the same time, the site at the Haard edge is considered sheltered and sunny, with a long ripening period.
Soils and grape varieties
Schloßberg shows geological diversity: in the east, sandy loam occurs; in the west, deeper calcareous marl with Muschelkalk. Further parcels feature a cover of Buntsandstein, loamy sand, loess and limestone rubble. A calcareous and gravel-rich marl sub-site is locally referred to as “Kalkgrieb” or “Kalkgrube”; around 0.5 hectares there are planted with Grauburgunder. Riesling is documented for the site. In addition, in individual producers’ parcels there are Grauburgunder, Rieslaner, Cabernet Blanc and Chardonnay.
Wines and naming
In particular, site wines are documented from Riesling and Grauburgunder. A Riesling from the 2023 vintage was classified as Deutscher Qualitätswein, QbA Pfalz, with 12.5 per cent alcohol and 10.5 grams of residual sugar per litre. The name Rhodter Schlossberg is locally associated with Villa Ludwigshöhe and the Rietburg located above the wine-growing site.
