Location and Classification
Spitzberg is listed as a single vineyard site in the district of Stadecken of Stadecken-Elsheim. The wine-growing site belongs to the Nierstein area and to the Großlage Domherr in Rheinhessen, and carries the vineyard site number 720222. The official vineyard site directory records 105.6 hectares of planted vineyard area for the cadastral district of Stadecken-Elsheim.
Soils and Wine Character
The name Spitzberg refers to the pointed shape of the mountain or hill. Documented are calcareous clay marl as a marl soil, as well as calcareous loess as a loess soil, or pararendzina. The marl soil is deep, strongly calcareous and rich in nutrients, but shows limited water management and aeration as well as difficult root penetration. The loess soil is deep, fertile and calcareous, stores water well and provides sufficient aeration and good root penetration.
According to the official site description, full-bodied, dense wines with moderate acidity develop on the marl, while the loess favours fresher, medium-bodied wines with a moderate structure.
Grape Varieties and Cellaring
Bottlings from Spitzberg are documented, among others, from Silvaner, Weißer Burgunder, Auxerrois, Riesling and Huxelrebe. Dry quality wines are evidenced, including a dry Auxerrois from the barrique, a dry Silvaner and a finely off-dry Riesling. In addition, a Huxelrebe Trockenbeerenauslese is documented. A 2021 Silvaner was matured with repeated lees stirring and in large oak barrels.
Stadecker Warte and History
At the edge of the site lies the Stadecker Warte, which can be reached via a short, steep ascent. Local winemakers first erected it in 1933, initially as a preparation site for work on pest control in the vineyard; in the 1980s it was extended by adding a tower. The current vineyard site corresponds to the former field name Im Horn. There, at the end of the 1950s, a Roman sarcophagus made of red sandstone was found.
