Location and classification
Vogelsang is a legally designated single vineyard above the core town of Neustadt on the Weinstraße (Wine Route). It is located at the exit of the Neustadter valley in the wine-growing region Pfalz and in the area Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße. The VDP classifies Vogelsang as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 8.52 hectares. In the 2024 vineyard register, the single vineyard is recorded under number 820921 with 7.9 hectares of planted vineyard area.
Topography and soil
The south-facing site lies at around 160 to 280 metres above sea level. The average slope gradient is 25 per cent; the lower areas are steep and terraced and reach up to 50 per cent. The soil consists of shell limestone. The shell limestone formation is more than 200 million years old and was exposed when the Upper Rhine Graben sank. The site at the valley exit and its altitude differences lead to pronounced temperature variations between day and night.
Varieties and winemaking
As classified varieties, Riesling and Pinot Noir are listed. At A. Christmann, most of the site is planted with Riesling; Pinot Noir is found in the lower, steep, terraced section. The Riesling vines include plantings from 1982, 1983 and 2019; the Pinot Noir originates from a planting from 2019. Both varieties are selectively hand-harvested there in small crates. The Riesling ferments spontaneously in large wooden casks. The Pinot Noir is fermented on the mash with 20 per cent whole grapes and then matured in barriques.
History
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Vogelsang was delivered to the Bavarian royal court according to A. Christmann. After the 1971 wine law reform, the historic field names Vogelsang, Fenichelberg and Ziegelberg were incorporated into the broader site designation Mönchgarten; they are still recorded in the land register. A. Christmann took over his property in Vogelsang in 2017. In addition to A. Christmann, Müller-Catoir is also active in the classified site.
