Location and classification
St. Castorhöhle is a legally registered single vineyard in Müden (Mosel) and belongs to the wine-growing region Mosel, to the Burg Cochem area and to the large-scale vineyard Goldbäumchen. In the official directory of vineyard sites, it is listed under number 440123 and comprises 9.6 hectares of planted vineyard area. The vineyard site lies upstream of the village on the Mosel.
Slopes, soils and climate
St. Castorhöhle comprises steep vineyard slopes. Its western part is particularly steep and lies as a south-facing site above the Mosel reservoir. Historical terraces with dry stone walls characterise this section. The site is primarily characterised by classic blue slate from the Mosel; in places, it is covered by a soil layer about 0.5 metres deep. Light, loamy-sandy soils above the dark slate warm up quickly and store the heat until night.
For Müden, a mild wine-growing climate with high temperatures and comparatively low rainfall is documented. The average temperature from 2018 to 2023 was 11.6 °C, and the average annual precipitation was 649 mm.
Riesling and wine style
Riesling is grown in St. Castorhöhle. The Rieslings described there are considered relatively opulent and show aromas of yellow fruit. They are also described as elegant and finely fruited, and frequently somewhat more powerful and less salty than wines from the nearby vineyard site Funkenberg. Riesling quality wine and Hochgewächs, as well as Riesling Spätlese, are documented, including dry versions.
Name tradition
According to local tradition, the name of the vineyard site refers to a cave in the hillside between Müden and Karden. It is said that the monk St. Castor lived there around the year 550 AD while he Christianised the area.
