Location and Classification
The Steinert is a single vineyard in Gau-Algesheim in the Bingen area and within the Großlage Abtey of Rheinhessen. In the wine site directory of Rhineland-Palatinate, it is listed in 2024 as single vineyard number 710109. The site extends along the northern foothills of the Westerberg towards Ockenheim. The directory records 32.3 hectares of planted vineyard area.
Soils and Climate
The warm location has soils formed from limestone with a high proportion of sand, which warm up quickly. Alongside this, the diversity of soils includes shallow to medium-depth, very calcareous and stony rendzinas formed from tertiary marine deposits of a calcareous algae reef. They store only a limited amount of water available to plants and offer the roots limited penetration. In addition, deep, fertile and calcareous sand and rigosols occur, from ice-age-deposited limestone dust sand, with good water storage and root penetration.
Slope Aspect and Wine Style
A south-west-facing slope is given for the described plots. The Steinert is considered suitable for red wines and late-ripening white grape varieties. Wines from the calcareous rendzina soils are described as mineral, chalky and aromatic, with balanced acidity; the sandy soils stand for fuller, fruitier wines with moderate structure.
Grape Varieties and History
From the Steinert, wines made from Chardonnay, Spätburgunder and Cabernet Sauvignon are documented. A Cabernet Sauvignon from the site was matured for twelve months in barriques. The Steinert is first documented in 1303 under the name amme Steynwingarten, which refers to the stony nature of the soil.
