Steinberg, Kloster Eberbach
Encyclopedia
Steinberg is a 32.4 hectares (80.1 acre) wall-enclosed vineyard (a Clos
, using French terminology) near Hattenheim
in the Rheingau
. It is the largest wall-enclosed vineyard in Germany
.
Steinberg is one of handful single vineyard sites in Germany which for reasons of historical significance have dispensation from having to include a village name together with the vineyard's name, so the wines from Steinberg are simply labelled Steinberger.
The vineyard belongs to the government-owned Hessische Staatsweingüter (Hessian State Wineries) and is today planted with only Riesling
vines.
.
In similarity to many other large, wall-enclosed vineyards such as Clos de Vougeot, the entire vineyard is not homogeneous in quality. The slope varies between 15% and 35% inside the wall, which results in differences in sun exposure and drainage. Typically, different parcels (sub-areas) of Steinberg will be used for wines of different types. A parcel named Zehntstück, located in the middle slope, is the source for the best dry wines in most vintages. A row of vines just inside the wall are trained in an espalier
fashion directly against the stone wall, and these vines have a markedly different microclimate because of the heat reflected by the stones. The grapes from these vines are harvested separately and are made into small amounts of Mauerwein ("wall wine"), which typically only are found at the wine auctions.
(Kloster Eberbach). The 2600 meter long wall encircling the vineyard was completed in 1767.
The new winemaking facility of the owner Hessische Staatsweingüter was built just outside the wall of Steinberg.
The name Steinberg is also used for several other single vineyard sites in Germany. However, for all these other vineyards, the name Steinberg will be used together with a village name, such as Durbach
er Steinberg (in Baden
) or Niederhäuser
Steinberg (in Nahe
).
Clos (vineyard)
Clos, from the French for Closure or enclosed, is a walled vineyard used to protect the grapes from theft as well as improving the mesoclimate...
, using French terminology) near Hattenheim
Hattenheim
Hattenheim is a Stadtteil in Eltville am Rhein, Hesse, Germany. It lies within the Rheingau wine region.- Points of interest :* Burg Hattenheim* Eberbach Abbey * Schloss Reichartshausen* Steinberg, Kloster Eberbach...
in the Rheingau
Rheingau (wine region)
Rheingau is one of 13 German wine regions for quality wines . Named for the traditional region of Rheingau , the wine region is situated in the state of Hesse, where it makes up part of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis administrative district...
. It is the largest wall-enclosed vineyard in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Steinberg is one of handful single vineyard sites in Germany which for reasons of historical significance have dispensation from having to include a village name together with the vineyard's name, so the wines from Steinberg are simply labelled Steinberger.
The vineyard belongs to the government-owned Hessische Staatsweingüter (Hessian State Wineries) and is today planted with only Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
vines.
Wines
The Hessian State Wineries produces wines of many different styles from Steinberg, both dry, semi-sweet and sweet Rieslings. The vineyard is classified as an Erste Lage and therefore may be used for the production of dry wines using the Erstes Gewächs designation. Some of the Steinberg grapes are used for small-lot auction wines sold at the biannual wine auctionsGerman wine auctions
A number of German wine auctions are held each year, where the premier German wine producers auction off some of the best young wines, as well as some older wines. Most auctions are arranged by the regional associations of Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter...
.
In similarity to many other large, wall-enclosed vineyards such as Clos de Vougeot, the entire vineyard is not homogeneous in quality. The slope varies between 15% and 35% inside the wall, which results in differences in sun exposure and drainage. Typically, different parcels (sub-areas) of Steinberg will be used for wines of different types. A parcel named Zehntstück, located in the middle slope, is the source for the best dry wines in most vintages. A row of vines just inside the wall are trained in an espalier
Espalier
Espalier is the horticultural and ancient agricultural practice of controlling woody plant growth by pruning and tying branches so that they grow into a flat plane, frequently in formal patterns, against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis, and also plants which have been shaped in this...
fashion directly against the stone wall, and these vines have a markedly different microclimate because of the heat reflected by the stones. The grapes from these vines are harvested separately and are made into small amounts of Mauerwein ("wall wine"), which typically only are found at the wine auctions.
History
It was founded around 1170 by Cistercian monks of nearby Eberbach AbbeyEberbach Abbey
Eberbach Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Eltville am Rhein in the Rheingau, Germany. On account of its impressive Romanesque and early Gothic buildings it is considered one of the most significant architectural heritage sites in Hesse, Germany...
(Kloster Eberbach). The 2600 meter long wall encircling the vineyard was completed in 1767.
The new winemaking facility of the owner Hessische Staatsweingüter was built just outside the wall of Steinberg.
The name Steinberg
The name Steinberg is German for "stony hill" after Stein = stone and Berg = mountain or hill. Although Steinberg is surrounded by a stone wall, the name actually refers to the vineyard's stony soil, rather than to the wall. The name was originally used for only a part of the vineyard, but later became the name of the entire area.The name Steinberg is also used for several other single vineyard sites in Germany. However, for all these other vineyards, the name Steinberg will be used together with a village name, such as Durbach
Durbach
Durbach is a municipality in the district of Ortenau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It is situated on the verge of the northern Black Forest Mountains six kilometers north east of the town of Offenburg....
er Steinberg (in Baden
Baden (wine region)
Baden is a region for quality wine in Germany, and is located in the historical region of Baden in southwestern Germany, which today forms part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg...
) or Niederhäuser
Niederhausen
Niederhausen is a municipality in the district of Bad Kreuznach in Rhineland-Palatinate, in western Germany. It has a reputation for producing some of the finest riesling wines in the Nahe region....
Steinberg (in Nahe
Nahe (wine region)
Nahe is a region for quality wine in Germany, along the River Nahe in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. On the region's of vineyards in 2008, white wine grapes dominate with 75% and Riesling is the most common variety with 27.2%...
).