Location and classification
The Sonnenberg is the single vineyard Udenheimer Sonnenberg in the cadastral district Udenheim in Rheinhessen. It belongs to the Nierstein area and the Großlage Domherr. In the vineyard register of Rhineland-Palatinate, it is listed as a single vineyard under number 720226 by the name Sonnenberg in Udenheim/Udenheim. The planted vineyard area in 2024 was 138.6 hectares.
Orientation and soils
The vineyards face south; this location explains the name Sonnenberg. Documented soil types are loess-pararendzina and marl-pararendzina. Loess is a calcareous wind-blown sediment deposited during the Ice Ages. Marl consists of calcareous loams and sands from Tertiary marine deposits.
The loess-pararendzina is deep, calcareous and loamy, with clayey silt, good water retention and good root penetration. The marl-pararendzina is a deep, strongly calcareous clay soil with a high proportion of spring clay, as well as restricted drainage, aeration and root penetration.
Grape varieties and wine styles
For wines designated Udenheimer Sonnenberg, among others Dornfelder, Ortega, Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Silvaner, Scheurebe, Riesling, Kerner, Cabernet Dorsa and Acolon are documented. The range includes dry Dornfelder, sweet Ortega late harvest and selection wines, as well as white wines as Spätlese, fine-dry and semi-dry.
A documented Acolon from the 2019 vintage was matured in barrique.
