Felsenberg

Felsenberg is a vineyard site in Leistadt in the Pfalz. The site is located on the edge of the Haardt in the Felsenberg-Berntal nature reserve. The south-facing slope lies at about 220 metres above sea level and has a gradient of 25 per cent.

The vineyard sits on a natural limestone band and is bordered by limestone dry-stone walls. The geological subsoil consists of tertiary limestone; the soil is described as weathered limestone with iron deposits. The elevated position and the proximity to the Palatinate Forest shape a cool climate.

Felsenberg is planted entirely with Spätburgunder from Burgundy clones, which is also known as Pinot Noir. The almost forgotten, fallow area was cleared from 2010–2011, the dry-stone walls were restored and the entire plot was replanted. Around the vineyard, the vineyards are farmed organically and use, among other things, cover crops, mechanical weed control, compost, copper and sulphur.

In Leistadt, Felsenberg is listed as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 0.58 hectares; Rings is listed as a VDP producer. Rings describes dry Pinot Noir wines from the cool limestone layers of the northern Palatinate, with spontaneous fermentation and ageing potential. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted in the cellar; red wines mature in French barriques and are bottled without filtration. A documented wine from the site is the Felsenberg GG.