Humboldt-Blick – Humboldt View

↗ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Look around. Listen in.

Audio guide in German. Read the full English version below.

As early as 1790, the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt wrote about fine wine and red rock in Nierstein. Then as now, winegrowing shapes the Roter Hang. The connection between winegrowing, the landscape and the Roter Hang’s distinctive origins makes this place unique to this day. That is why the winegrowers consider it important to treat their surroundings and the Roter Hang’s particular natural conditions responsibly.

Read the audio guide

Humboldt’s view of rock, wine and wildlife

In spring 1790, the young naturalist Alexander von Humboldt travelled from Mainz to Nierstein with Georg Forster. Their carriage journey formed part of his exploration of basalt and other rocks. In his notes, he recorded Nierstein’s red stone and fine wine.

From Brudersberg to Rothenberg

Follow his gaze northwards towards the terraces of Brudersberg and the Niersteiner Pettenthal. The recording describes Pettenthal Rieslings as particularly mineral in character. The site also benefits from its microclimate: sunshine reaches the slopes early across the open Rhine-Main plain, while the nearby river influences light and warmth. Further towards Mainz lies Rothenberg, at the northern end of the Roter Hang.

Vineyards alongside wildlife habitats

This landscape is more than rows of vines. Flowering hedges, trees and areas left to nature break up the vineyards. Almond and plum trees, along with various shrubs, were planted as part of land consolidation work. Other areas were deliberately left to develop naturally, allowing native plants to establish themselves.

These green strips provide shelter and places for animals to raise their young. The audio guide mentions roe deer, pheasants, partridges, hares, eagle owls, songbirds and numerous insects among the wildlife of the Roter Hang. The aim is to allow working vineyards and varied habitats to exist alongside one another.

According to the recording, the winegrowers made ten per cent of the land available for this purpose, creating room for a diverse ecosystem between the vines. You can learn more about ecological compensation areas at the Watchtower stop.