Location and geography
The Hattenheimer Schützenhaus is located at the western entrance to Hattenheim, a district of Eltville am Rhein in the Rheingau. The vineyard site extends towards Hallgarten and Kloster Eberbach, and also as far as the Leimersbach and the federal highway.
Topography and climate
The site, which faces south-west, lies at about 180 to 220 metres above sea level and has a slope of around 20 to 30 per cent. It rises gently towards the south-south-west and, thanks to its western exposure, is partly protected from cold easterly winds. At the same time, it belongs to a cold-air formation area east of Hattenheim that helps to ventilate the town.
Soils and grape varieties
The soils include loess marl, clay and weathered coloured slate. Further documented areas consist of alluvial soils that grade into deep loess and loess marl. These soils can store water and nutrients and supply the vines even in dry years. For the VDP classification, Riesling and Pinot Noir are recognised; Riesling is also listed in the Hessian directory of vineyard areas.
Classification and wine styles
Hattenheimer Schützenhaus is listed in the Hessian directory of wine-growing sites as a single site in the Rheingau within the Großlage Deutelsberg, with 66 hectares. For the VDP, the site is classified with an area of 58 hectares as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®. The site can produce wines rich in extract. Documented examples include Riesling Kabinett, Riesling Spätlese, Riesling Eiswein, Pinot Noir Spätlese and a Schützenhaus Riesling brut nature VDP.Sekt. The name refers to a shelter for the grape guards, which watched over the ripening grapes to protect them from birds and bad weather.
