The Reiterpfad site comprises of 60 hectares of red sandstone, formed over millennia from the Haardt hills. The large terraces slope gently towards the east-southeast. The best two portions of the land are to be found in the eastern section, along the wine route. The Reiterpfad enjoys long hours of sunshine, from early morning until late evening, due to its exposed position, away from the shadow of the hills. As the Haardt hills are very enclosed between Ruppertsberg and Wachenheim the vineyards here are protected from the wind. The Reiterpfad site is therefore our warmest vineyard.
The combination of high temperatures and the red sandstone soil gives this wine its luxurious fruitiness and opulence. The wines are consistently complex and full, lingering on the palate. Whilst young the wines delight with their youthful aromas but the wines’ truest qualities are released only after being stored for some years.
The Premier Cru of the Reiterpfad site takes place after the early harvest. During one or two rounds of picking the grapes are selected according to strict criteria, taking only healthy grapes at the peak of ripeness. The yields are generally around 40hl/ha so that the grapes achieve optimal taste.
The whole grapes are carefully transported to the pressing room, the “Kelterhaus”, where they are crushed. After a short period of maceration lasting between 1 to 3 hours, the grapes are slowly and carefully pressed. The must is left to settle overnight and is then fermented using yeast produced by our winery. Until it is ready to be bottled, the unfined and untreated wine is left to mature on the lees and fine lees in both stainless steel vats and large, traditional wooden barrels.
With the 2020 vintage, we have decided to blend the cooler, water-bearing Gewannen Hausbrunnen and Quelle, as well as the Spieß with our VDP. Große Lage Gewann Hofstück and are pleased to present this wine as a VDP Erstes Gewächs. With its rounder, stone-fruit fruit, it stands alongside the cool, herbaceous Gimmeldinger Kapellenberg.