Location and classification
Sonnenberg is an officially registered single vineyard in the Pfalz, in the area of Südliche Weinstraße and within the Großlage Guttenberg. The vineyard register lists it under number 810208 as a single vineyard that spans across municipal boundaries in Oberotterbach, Rechtenbach and Schweigen within Schweigen-Rechtenbach, as well as in Schweighofen. The site extends in part over the state border into French territory.
Area and terrain
In the 2024 harvest register, Sonnenberg is recorded with a total of 285.1 hectares of vineyard area. Of this, 119.7 hectares are in Oberotterbach, 88.6 hectares in Rechtenbach, 40.2 hectares in Schweigen and 36.6 hectares in Schweighofen. The site has different row orientations and slope gradients.
Soils and exposure
The documented soil materials include red sand, Bunter sandstone, gravel and calcareous marl with varying proportions of clay and loam. A Riesling plot at Schweigen-Rechtenbach lies on yellow limestone and a high proportion of loess loam, is oriented to the south and is at about 260 to 280 metres above sea level with an approximately 30 percent slope. For this plot, intensive sun exposure is described. A Pinot Noir plot combines layers of Bunter sandstone with limestone veins.
Grape varieties and wines
With Sonnenberg, among others, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Blaufränkisch and Gewürztraminer are associated. Dry Rieslings and dry Pinot Noirs are documented. A Riesling from Jülg estate is described as a dry VDP.Grosses Gewächs made from hand-picked grapes, processed gently, fermented spontaneously and matured in a wooden vat.
