Roter Hang

What makes Roter Hang wines so special?

Their delicate character and refined fruit quality stem largely from the soil in which they grow.

This narrow strip of “Rotliegend” red-bed vineyard sites along the Rhine produces wines of distinctive character – Riesling from the Roter Hang is a classic example. The vines draw minerals from the soil, passing them on to the grapes well into autumn.

With the slopes facing south to south-east and the Rhine close by, sunlight is reflected from the water onto the vineyards. The red rock stores this warmth, benefiting the vines well into late autumn.

Each vineyard site is therefore an experience in its own right.

COLOUR // The Nierstein Formation

The series of red rock layers known as the Nierstein Formation is at least 770 metres thick. Its red colour comes from iron compounds formed in a subtropical climate 280 million years ago. Pressure from overlying layers turned clay mud into claystone and loose sand into solid sandstone. The red rock has properties comparable to slate. The soil is poor in nutrients and stores heat exceptionally well.

ORIGINS // Red rock amid the waves

The red rock formed 280 million years ago initially remained hidden deep underground. The Mainz Basin filled with water, submerging it. Repeated movements along the Upper Rhine Rift eventually raised a block of the Earth’s crust between Nierstein and Nackenheim towards the end of the Tertiary period, pushing the ancient red rock to the surface. Like an island, the steep escarpment rose above the water.

ASPECT // steep. south. east.

The Roter Hang formation extends for around 5 km and follows a sharp curve. In its northern section near Nackenheim, the vineyards descend steeply eastwards towards the Rhine. Just before Nierstein, the slope turns away from the river to face south. Ridges and gullies repeatedly break up the escarpment. Some slopes plunge dramatically, while others taper gently away. This creates countless small niches, each with very different characteristics.