Location and Classification
Sonnenberg is an officially designated single vineyard site in the municipality and cadastral district of Sprendlingen. The site belongs to the Bingen area and the Großlage Abtey in Rheinhessen. In the official wine-growing sites directory, it is listed under number 710121.
Topography and Soils
The vineyards lie at an altitude of between 125 and 140 metres and face north-east. Löess-pararendzina as well as marl-pararendzina have been documented. The loess soil consists of calcareous wind-borne material deposited during the Ice Age, with deep, light loam, high water storage that is available to plants, and good root penetration. The marl soils go back to tertiary marine deposits and consist of deep, strongly calcareous clay with limited permeability and aeration.
Grape Varieties and Wine Profile
For the vineyards in Sprendlingen, including Sonnenberg, the municipality names Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Dornfelder and Spätburgunder as important grape varieties. On löess-pararendzina, wines are described with yellow-fruit notes as well as hints of apple, peach, pear and citrus. They show a moderate structure, a gentle acidity and are accessible early. Marl-pararendzina is associated with fuller, denser wines and well-balanced acidity. White wines can show mango, honeydew melon and apricot, while red wines can show dark fruit and smoky spice.
Historical Name
Sonnenberg is documented for the year 1435 under the name Sonborn. The current site profile traces the name Sonnenberg back to the sun-facing site traditionally associated with it. The official register entry shows 31.0 hectares of planted vineyard area for Sonnenberg.
