Location and vineyard
Mauchenheim lies in the Wonnegau within the wine-growing region Rheinhessen. The Mauchenheimer Sioner Klosterberg is a single vineyard site in the town; its combined vineyard site is called Sybillenstein. The slopes around Mauchenheim are exposed to the south-east. Between the Donnersberg and the Rhine plain, there is a locally favourable microclimate for vine cultivation.
Soils and wine style
The single vineyard site comprises calcareous rendzina from tertiary marine deposits of an algae reef. The shallow to medium-deep, stony and sandy loam soil warms up well, but stores only limited plant-available water. Wines with lively, aromatic character are described on this profile, with citrus, apple and redcurrant flavours, which can develop into mango and passion fruit. A balanced acidity as well as mineral and chalky notes determine the style.
In addition, calcareous marl pelosoil is found from calcareous clay deposits of the tertiary sea. This deep, strongly calcareous and clay-rich soil has springing clay, restricted water drainage and lower aeration. The associated wine profile is fuller-bodied, dense and rich, with moderate acidity, a creamy texture and ripe aromas of mango, apricot and honeydew melon.
Vines and winegrowing
At the Sioner Klosterberg, among other varieties, Silvaner, Morio-Muskat and Dornfelder are planted. Winegrowing includes a short vine pruning, the early removal of excess shoots and de-leafing of the grape zone. For high-quality wines, yields are reduced further during ripening.
For high-quality wines, gentle harvesting, open-fermentation on the skins for red wines and temperature-controlled fermentation for white wines are documented. Maturation in barrique is guided by the intended wine style.
Historical reference
The Cistercian nuns’ monastery of Sion near Mauchenheim was founded shortly before 1247 by Truchsess Werner of Alzey. The name Sioner Klosterberg preserves the connection to this monastery. The last nuns left Sion in 1569 or 1570 following the step-by-step secularisation as a result of the Reformation. Most of the remaining buildings later burned down during the French Revolutionary Wars; reusable stones were used in houses in Mauchenheim.
