Location and classification
Sonnenberg is a registered single vineyard in the district of Heimersheim of the town of Alzey. It is located in the Wonnegau in the wine-growing region of Rheinhessen and belongs to the Großlage Sybillenstein. The vineyards face south; the name refers to this southern location.
Soils
A documented soil type is calcareous rendzina from tertiary marine deposits of a calcareous algae reef. The shallow to medium-depth, very calcareous soil is stony and sandy-loamy, stores only a little water available to plants, has good aeration and absorbs heat well.
In addition, calcareous clay occurs as Terra fusca. Formed from weathered tertiary limestone deposits, this soil is medium- to deep-rooting, stony and rich in clay. Its water storage capacity available to plants is medium, while aeration and root penetration are limited.
Area and wine style
The Rhineland-Palatinate wine-growing sites directory lists Sonnenberg under vineyard site number 730709 and, in the district of Heimersheim, shows 106.0 hectares of vines planted.
The calcareous rendzina is associated with expressive, aromatic wines that show notes of citrus fruits, apple and gooseberry and can develop towards mango and passion fruit. Balanced acidity as well as mineral and chalk-like characteristics shape this style. The Terra-fusca variant stands for fruity, full-bodied and ripeness-demanding wines with mild acidity, mango and apricot notes and a richer, more complex texture.
