Geisenheimer Rothenberg

The Rothenberg vineyard was first documented in 1145, when it was referenced by the noble Ruthard de Rothenberch. Its name derives from the distinctive red iron oxide soils that define the site: Rothenberg translates directly as 'red mountain.' By 1867, the vineyard had earned the highest Class I status on the oldest surviving Rheingau site classification map, placing it on par with celebrated sites such as Rüdesheimer Berglagen, Schloss Johannisberg, Steinberg, Marcobrunn, and Gräfenberg. Today it holds VDP.GROSSE LAGE status, Germany's equivalent of Grand Cru.

• First mentioned in records dating to 1145
• Class I ranking on the 1867 Rheingau classification map, the oldest of its kind
• VDP.GROSSE LAGE designation recognizes it as one of Germany's elite single vineyards
• Named directly for the red iron oxide soils visible throughout the site

Rothenberg occupies steep south-facing slopes in Geisenheim with gradients reaching 40 percent and elevations between 100 and 145 meters above sea level. The soils are rich in red iron oxide, composed of weathered rock with slate, Taunus quartzite, and coarse material that provides good water retention capacity. The site enjoys a cool continental climate shaped by the Taunus mountains, with minimal wind protection but high sunshine hours of 1,643 per year and low annual rainfall of just 530mm. These conditions create concentrated fruit and structured acidity in the wines, and ideal conditions for botrytis development needed for noble sweet wine production.

• Steep slopes up to 40 percent gradient with pure southern orientation
• Red iron oxide soils with slate, Taunus quartzite, and good water retention
• 1,643 annual sunshine hours and only 530mm rainfall support concentration
• Botrytis-friendly conditions enable production of Auslese, Spätlese, and Trockenbeerenauslese

Rothenberg is planted exclusively to Riesling. The site produces two distinct wine styles: dry Grosses Gewächs bottlings that express the mineral and acidic character of the terroir, and noble sweet wines in the Spätlese, Auslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese categories when botrytis conditions allow. The wines show mineral character with penetrating acidity and strong aging potential across both styles. Weingüter Wegeler, also known as Geheimrat J. Wegeler, is the notable producer associated with the site.

• 100 percent Riesling across all plantings
• Dry GG (Grosses Gewächs) wines showcase mineral complexity and structured acidity
• Noble sweet wines benefit from ideal botrytis development conditions on the slope
• Weingüter Wegeler is the primary notable producer at this site

Rothenberg has set the German must weight record three times since 2005, a distinction that underscores the exceptional ripeness potential of this site. In the remarkable 2011 vintage, the vineyard achieved harvested must weights of 259, 319, and 340 Oechsle across different lots, with the 340 Oechsle figure representing a national record. These extraordinary results reflect the combination of ideal slope orientation, heat-retaining iron-rich soils, and the low-rainfall conditions that allow grapes to concentrate sugar and flavors to exceptional levels in the finest years.

• German must weight record set three separate times since 2005
• 2011 vintage produced must weights of 259, 319, and 340 Oechsle
• 340 Oechsle is a national record, enabling Trockenbeerenauslese production
• Heat-retaining iron-rich soils contribute to consistent ripeness potential