Location and Topography
The Steeger St. Jost lies above Bacharach-Steeg in a side valley, around one kilometre from the Rhine, and slopes down towards the Münzbach. The south-facing site, about 170 to 200 metres high, has a slope of around 60 per cent.
Climate and Soils
Unlike the vineyards directly on the Rhine, the Steeger St. Jost is set away from the river’s large body of water and its balancing influence. The subsoil is characterised by Devonian clay slate with greywacke inclusions. An overlying layer of windblown sand is traced back to volcanic eruptions in the Neuwied Basin more than 10,000 years ago.
Grape Variety and Wine Style
The site is particularly well suited to Riesling. The wines produced from it combine fine or filigree mineral notes, clear and precise fruit, and a leaner, more steel-like character than the fruit-forward Rieslings from the Bacharacher Hahn. They have considerable ageing potential.
History and Cultivation
The name goes back to Saint Jodokus, a pilgrim and hermit of the seventh century. Between Bacharach and Steeg, a chapel dedicated to him stood there until the Reformation. After the hot year 2003, an irrigation system was installed on around two hectares for approximately 10,000 vines. The Steeger St. Jost is classified, according to the classification guidelines of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®.
