Location and classification
The Steinberg is a legally registered single vineyard site in the cadastral area of Wackernheim. It belongs to the Bingen area and the Kaiserpfalz single large vineyard in Rheinhessen. The official vineyard directory records 4.3 hectares of planted vineyard area for the Wackernheim section.
Aspect and grape variety
The plots of the Steinberg are described as sunny south-facing slopes. They are planted predominantly with Riesling.
Soils
In the Wackernheimer Steinberg, loess-pararendzina and limestone-rendzina occur. The loess-pararendzina consists of calcareous, Ice Age aeolian sediment and forms a deep, fertile, light loam with high plant-available water storage capacity and good conditions for root penetration. It is rich in nutrients, well aerated, moderately slow to warm up, and has a high growth potential.
The limestone-rendzina is a shallow to medium-deep, strongly calcareous, stony sandy loam from tertiary marine deposits associated with calcareous algal reef structures. It is well aerated and warms up well, but stores less water and offers more limited rooting depth.
Style
The loess-pararendzina is associated with fine aromas of yellow fruits, apple, peach, pear and citrus, along with a gentle acidity and a slim, refreshing style. The limestone-rendzina stands for citrus, apple and gooseberry aromas that can develop into mango and passion fruit, as well as balanced acidity and a mineral, chalky, structured style.
