Location and Context
The Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott lies in the west of the municipality of Mölsheim in the Zellertal and belongs to the Wonnegau in Rheinhessen. The vineyard site is close to the border with the Palatinate; according to the regional winegrowing administration, the border runs through the site.
Climate and Terrain
The south-southeast-facing vineyards lie at about 170 to 250 metres above sea level and have a slope of 40 percent. Light winds in the Zellertal help dry out moist grapes. The Donnerberg in the west creates large differences between day and night temperatures, while cool night air flows into the Zellertal from the Palatinate Forest.
Soil and Grape Varieties
Documented are loess-pararendzina and marl-pararendzina. Limestone and limestone rubble are cited as the parent materials. For the classified vineyard site, Riesling and Spätburgunder are recorded; the wines are described as mineral. A technical data sheet for a 2024 Riesling lists it as dry with 3.0 grams of residual sugar and 7.0 grams of acid per litre.
History and Classification
The vineyard site was documented for the year 1307 under the name “an Seller Weg”. Its present name refers to a weathered wayside cross at the road to Zell. According to a local historical tradition, in the eighth century the holy Philipp of Zell is said to have erected a cross there. The site includes a round vineyard tower dated to 1884 and a vineyard building with a mansard roof in the neo-Baroque style from the 1920s. The Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® in the Rheinhessen winegrowing region and covers 36.00 hectares. For the 2024 Riesling, strict hand harvest, spontaneous fermentation and ageing in wooden casks are documented.
