Location and classification
Steig is an officially registered single vineyard in Flörsheim-Dalsheim in the wine-growing region Rheinhessen. The regional profile assigns it to the Wonnegau and the Großlage Burg Rodenstein. In the vineyard directory, Steig is listed under the cadastral areas Dalsheim with 110.0 hectares and Nieder-Flörsheim with 119.1 hectares of planted vineyard area. The site number is 730207.
Name and site
The site was first documented in 1346 as “uf der steygen”. The name goes back to the Middle High German word “steig” for a steep ascent. The Dalsheim parcels lie on a gently south-east-facing slope. Its exposure to wind can, in particular in Riesling parcels, extend the ripening period and the hang time.
Soils and wine style
For Dalsheimer Steig, loess-pararendzina and loess chernozem are documented. In addition, loess loam and soils linked to shell limestone are described. The warm, south-east-facing exposure provides conditions for reliable grape ripeness. The soils are associated with fruit-forward, fresh wines; loess-pararendzina is assigned a slender and refreshing wine style, while loess chernozem is assigned a fuller, fruit-driven wine style.
Grape varieties and vinification
With Dalsheimer Steig, Riesling, Scheurebe, Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder and Weißburgunder are associated. Documented are dry and delicately off-dry Rieslings, a sweet Riesling Auslese, as well as wines from Scheurebe, Weißburgunder and Spätburgunder. A local winery converted its entire vineyard area, including its Dalsheimer Steig area, to organic cultivation in 2024. Its white wines ripen in stainless-steel tanks, its red wines in wooden barrels.
