Sites

THE 
VINEYARDS

image/svg+xml UNSERE WEINBERGSLAGEN

Our sites

We treat our vineyards and soils gently and with utmost care, always at one with nature. They are the basis of our wines’ character. We honor and tend the fine nuances that nature provides - after all the vine takes everything that it needs from the soil.

The character of their origin is preserved in our wines. Distinctive differences in the microclimates even within one site allow us to create a great range of manifold wines.

Winkeler Hasensprung

According to legend, the site owes its name to a dense population of hares. However, in bygone times, hares used to be a symbol of fertility – and since the soils of Winkeler Hasensprung (hares leaping in Winkel) are renowned for their great fertility, this might also have been the reason for the choice of name.

The Hasensprung originates in the valley of the stream Ansbach, east of Johannisberg, from where it gently slopes downwards and stretches further west below Schloss Johannisberg. In the upper part between Johannisberg and Schloss Vollrads, the climate during the grapes’ ripening period is dominated by fresh westerly winds and the cooler air flowing in each evening through the Ansbach. This interplay between optimal exposure to the sun and a significant cooling during the night is responsible for the intense and poignant character of the Hasensprung wines.

Every year we aim to do justice to the multifaceted climactic and geological conditions of this site, which is so rich in tradition. Thus we create delicate, refined Kabinett wines with subtle mineral notes, which mostly grow on soils dominated by loess that can be found in the site’s slightly lower regions. And from the plots further up the hill, where the vines mostly grow on calcareous loam soils or mixed colluvium, we create intense, multilayered and unique Hasensprung wines.

Johannisberger Vogelsang

The first mention of fogelsang (birdsong) was recorded as early as 1399. The name givers of that time were obviously inspired by the forest alive with songbirds, which was then situated in the place of today’s vineyard.

The south-facing vineyard reaches a maximum altitude of about 200 meters above sea level and marks the eastern border of the municipality of Johannisberg. Soils consisting of stony-pebbly loam above another layer of sometimes extremely sandy loam require the vines to make a lot of effort and perseverance, since they have to survive on limited water reserves. Our vines, some of which are over 70 years old, hold their ground here owing to their extensively branched network of roots, and they bestow on the site’s wines their subtle mineral character and elegance. Highly refined and with herbal aromas, Riesling from the Vogelsang is a fine example of individual and traditional Rheingau wines.

Johannisberger Goldatzel

Today’s vineyard was first mentioned in 1340, then bearing the name Atzelheide (magpie heath).

Situated above the old village center of Johannisberg, the vineyard rises to a peak altitude of 220 meters above sea level. The gentle southeastern slope protects the grapes from an excess of cool winds, provides a fast warming in the morning, despite the altitude, and thus creates optimal ripening conditions. The soils, deep in part, consist of stony-pebbly loams, covering the quartzite so characteristic for Johannisberg. They confer on the Goldatzel wines their typical intense nature.

The southeast-facing slope is protected from intensive sunlight during the latter part of the day and consequently does not get very warm again in the evening. As a result, the wines from this site boast more freshness and playfulness. An initial sensation of juiciness is followed by impressive calm and balance.

Johannisberger Hölle

The site name Hölle (hell), which one frequently comes across in the world of wine, is derived from Halde, meaning a steep and often stony slope. In 1180 there already were reports about a “helda in monte sancti Johannis” (a steep slope on the mount of Saint John) in Johannisberg.

Steep and stony, the Hölle descends into the valley of the stream Elsterbach and leaves a multitude of unique soil formations in its wake. All of them contain Taunus quartzite, in some places merely hidden below a very thin layer of stony-pebbly and sandy loam. In this vineyard, a vine needs to utilize its full potential and dig deep into the soil to access water reserves. The valley of the Ansbach marks the eastern border of the municipality of Johannisberg, while the valley of the Elsterbach lies to the west of the village. It provides an influx of cool air in the evening. Thus the Rieslings of the Hölle retain their fresh and playful character.

Geisenheimer Kläuserweg

This particularly privileged vineyard was first mentioned in 1292 as via Clusen. It certainly is one of the Rheingau’s excellent sites. Surrounded by the great vineyard sites Schloss Johannisberg and Rothenberg, this piece of land – also impressive visually – has always enjoyed most noble company.

The soils of Kläuserweg mostly consist of a top layer of loess loam and marl clay covering deep, strongly calcareous loam and pebbles, as well as stony loam covering quartzite debris with slate deposits. This makes for uniquely complex wines. Their density of aromas is followed by a comprehensive elegance and power.