Altitudes

Letting your eyes wander across the vast plains of arable land and the meadows of Rheinhessen, you can discover the village of Siefersheim, situated somewhat hidden at the utmost southern border of a tectonic upthrow extending from the middle reaches of the Nahe to this southern extremity. The elevations of Martinsberg, Heerkretz, Goldenes Horn and Höllberg, visible from afar, surround the village like the balconies of an antique amphitheater. Having originated in the Permian around 250 million years ago, the magmatic rock remained under the surface, weathering over millions of years up until today. It is mainly responsible for the unique flora and fauna of “Rheinhessische Schweiz”, beginning in this area.

Altitude

Höllberg

Formed out of volcanic rocks the Höllberg is located north of Siefersheim. It occupies a favoured position, sheltered from the wind, featuring numerous dry-stone walls and parcels of shrubs. It is the warmest site around Siefersheim and the south facing exposition and the stony soil provide year after year full-bodied, powerful, concentrated wines with prominent mineral notes as well as spicy, fruity aromas.

Altitude

Heerkretz

The name Heerkretz describes a steep volcanic cliff in the south of Siefersheim. A steep slope of jugged rocks that faces directly the dominant westward weather influences. The whole site is extremely fissured and gashed, with many deposits of boulders and coarse gravel, with many quarries, dips and exposed sloping sections exposed to cold breezes. These conditions provide the wine with its well-bred, racy character, with subtle, complex aromas, refreshing acidity, slightly salty mineral notes as well as concentration and a full body.

Altitude

Scharlachberg

The characteristic Rochusberg can be seen from afar, and it is on the south-west flank of this steep hill with its reddish top soil that one finds this vineyard site, the hill is bounded to the north by the Rhine and Nahe rivers, whereto the south the Rheinhessen plains open up.

This is a mighty quarzite rock formation, practically in a solitary position, facing perfectly south, which together with the warm conditions of the Rhine valley close by provides perfect ripening conditions for the grapes. The cold falling winds of the neighbouring medium-altitude Hunsrück mountains, as well as the exposed, high-altitude sloping site represent the cool counterpart, open to the wind, from which Riesling in particular benefits so strongly. These are conditions which each year produce wines of tremendous ripeness and concentration, combined with piquant saltiness and fresh, lively acidity.