Location and classification
Sonnenberg is a named vineyard site in Bad Neuenahr in the Ahr, where the river valley widens in the lower Ahr region. In the vineyard register, the site is listed as a single vineyard in the Walporzheim/Ahrtal area, within the Großlage of Klosterberg and in the cadastral district of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. The VDP classifies Sonnenberg as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with 20.00 hectares of classified area. The vineyard register records 24.0 hectares of planted vineyard area; a regional delimitation specifies 47 hectares of designated vineyard area and likewise 24 hectares of planted area.
Topography and soils
The site, which is predominantly south-facing, receives high levels of sunlight and has a favourable local microclimate. Smaller side valleys also include parcels oriented to the east and west. Sonnenberg is mostly steep: 95 per cent are described as steep slope (Steillage) and 5 per cent as hillside (Hanglage); the VDP profile names a maximum gradient of 45 per cent. Elevations range, depending on the delimitation, from 100 to 150, or from 130 to 180 metres above sea level.
The documented soils include weathered greywacke and greywacke-slate with proportions of loam, slope-shifted loam, loess and loess loam, as well as sandstone loam and slate. Greywacke is described as a grey to greenish sandstone with a high feldspar content.
Grape varieties and wine style
The VDP-classified grape varieties are Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Frühburgunder (Early Pinot). Regionally, around 19 hectares of Spätburgunder, 2 hectares of Frühburgunder, each 1 hectare of Portugieser and Dornfelder, as well as together about 1 hectare of Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Kerner and Riesling are also documented. Depending on the influence of the soils, the wines are described as ranging from fruit-forward styles on greywacke to fuller and more voluminous expressions on loam- and loess-influenced soils.
Historical and practical aspects
The name Sonnenberg refers to its favourable orientation towards the sun. Some terraced vineyard areas are protected as historical monuments; in addition, a protected species of wild bee is documented in the vineyard area. For a documented Neuenahr Sonnenberg Frühburgunder from the 2022 vintage, mash fermentation, biological acid reduction and ageing for up to 15 months in French barriques with a capacity of 228 litres are mentioned. The grapes were hand-harvested.
