Dalsheimer Hubacker

The Hubacker's documented history stretches back to the Dalsheimer Seelenbuch of 1490, where its name refers to 'five hooves' (Huffe/Hube), meaning pieces of land. By the 14th century the site was already considered among Germany's greatest vineyards, cultivated by monks from the Abbeys of Schönau and Lorsch. The Keller family's connection to the Oberer Hubacker began in 1789, when Johann Leonhard Keller acquired the parcel from the monastery, initiating a ten-generation stewardship that continues today. A limestone tower, erected in 2006, now marks the Upper Hubacker and serves as a visible landmark within the site.

• Documented in the Dalsheimer Seelenbuch of 1490
• Cultivated by monks from Abbeys of Schönau and Lorsch in the 14th century
• Keller family ownership dates to 1789, acquired from the monastery
• Limestone tower erected in 2006 marks the Upper Hubacker

Dalsheimer Hubacker sits within the Wonnegau subregion of Rheinhessen, under the Burg Rodenstein Grosslage. The vineyard holds VDP Grosse Lage status, Germany's highest classification for individual vineyard sites, equivalent in prestige to Burgundy's Grand Cru. The site spans 23 hectares at approximately 260 meters elevation, with the Keller family's holding comprising 4 to 5.7 hectares. The vineyard is also recognized as a Monopollage, confirming Keller's exclusive ownership of their portion.

• Located in Wonnegau, Rheinhessen, within the Burg Rodenstein Grosslage
• VDP Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) and Monopollage classification
• Elevation approximately 260 meters (850 feet)
• Total area 23 hectares; Keller owns 4-5.7 hectares

The Hubacker's terroir is defined by its diverse and complex soils: skeletal loess, clay marl, limestone rocks, sandy loam, stony loamy clay, and yellow limestone rock. The southeast-facing slope, with a gradient of 25 to 30 percent, creates cold microclimatic conditions that slow ripening considerably. With 1,600 hours of annual sunshine and moderate rainfall, the site benefits from a temperate continental climate, yet Hubacker grapes are frequently harvested after neighboring vineyards have already finished their vintage. This extended growing season is directly responsible for the exotic fruit character and saline minerality found in wines from this site.

• Complex soils: skeletal loess, clay marl, limestone rocks, sandy loam, and yellow limestone rock
• Southeast-facing slope at 25-30% gradient slows ripening relative to other Keller sites
• 1,600 hours of annual sunshine with moderate rainfall
• Grapes often picked after neighboring vineyards complete their harvest

Riesling accounts for 95 percent of the Hubacker's plantings, with Müller-Thurgau and Portugieser occupying the remainder. Wines are produced in a dry (trocken) style and released as VDP Grosses Gewächs. The hallmark of Hubacker Riesling is a combination of exotic fruit notes, particularly passion fruit and peach, with a distinctive saline minerality and deep complexity. The cold microclimate and long growing season give wines exceptional aging potential. Weingut Keller's Hubacker Grosses Gewächs and the G-Max cuvée are ranked among the most sought-after and expensive dry Rieslings produced anywhere in Germany or the world. The Hubacker vineyard has been cited as one of the catalysts behind Rheinhessen's quality revival since the 1980s.

• 95% Riesling; wines produced as dry VDP Grosses Gewächs
• Flavor profile features passion fruit, peach, and saline minerality
• Keller's G-Max and Hubacker GG are among Germany's most expensive dry Rieslings
• Hubacker cited as part of the 'nucleus of the upswing' in Rheinhessen quality winemaking