Location and classification
The single vineyard Tafelstein is located in Rheinhessen and extends across the cadastral districts of Dienheim and Uelversheim. It belongs to the Nierstein district and the Großlage Güldenmorgen. The vineyard number is 720306; the planted areas comprise 62.6 hectares in Dienheim and 26.6 hectares in Uelversheim. Tafelstein is situated on the Rhine terraces south of Oppenheim between Dienheim and Ludwigshöhe.
Topography and soils
The Uelversheim section lies at a height of approximately 90 to 170 metres and is oriented towards the east to south-east. The section classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE in Dienheim has an eastern exposure, an altitude of around 120 to 140 metres and a slope of 10 per cent. The terrain is described as a protected basin, sheltered from cold, drying winds by a high plateau to the west and south-west.
The soils consist of deep loess, slope clay and calcareous marl; the official VDP entry summarises them as loess over calcareous marl. They have good water-retention capacity.
Grape varieties and wine styles
Riesling and Spätburgunder grow in Tafelstein. For the classified area, the VDP lists Grauer Burgunder and Spätburgunder. Documented are both dry Riesling as VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS and sweet Riesling in the style of Auslese.
Name and history
The name Tafelstein is connected with the historical term Tafelgut, meaning holdings intended to supply an aristocratic lord. In 1834, a Roman grave marker was found in the Dienheim Tafelstein, dating to roughly the second half of the first century AD.
