Location and classification
Schwarzenstein is the single-vineyard Johannisberger Schwarzenstein in the district of Johannisberg of Geisenheim in the Rheingau. It belongs to the Großlage Johannisberger Erntebringer. The vineyard area covers about 5.5 hectares and in 2014 was assigned predominantly to the G. H. von Mumm winery.
Relief and soils
The site has a gently south-facing slope with a gradient of about five degrees. In the lower part there are deep-rooting loess and loess marl, while the upper part contains a higher proportion of skeletal material in connection with Taunus quartzite.
Grape variety and wine style
For Johannisberger Schwarzenstein, Riesling is designated as the grape variety. The site is described as producing wines with restrained fullness and a pronounced interplay of acidity and fruit.
Name and vinification
The name goes back to the artificial ruin Schwarzenstein, which the Mumm family had built near Johannisberg. The town of Geisenheim dates the construction to the year 1873. In the documented Riesling vintage 2013 from G. H. von Mumm, the grapes were harvested exclusively by hand. Fermentation took place in old barrique casks with a capacity of 1,200 litres; afterwards the wine matured for six months on fine lees.
