Hattenheim Steinberg

Steinberg traces its origins to around 1170, when Cistercian monks from Kloster Eberbach Abbey (founded 1136) established the vineyard. The abbey held full ownership from 1239, making it one of the longest-running monopole vineyards in the world. Secularization in 1803 under the House of Nassau-Usingen ended ecclesiastical control, and Prussian ownership followed in 1866. The State of Hesse took possession in 1945, and ownership has remained with the state through Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach ever since. The modern Steinbergkeller winery facility, completed in 2008, won the Wine Architecture Prize in 2010.

• Founded by Cistercian monks circa 1170; fully owned by Kloster Eberbach Abbey from 1239
• Secularized 1803; transferred through Nassau-Usingen, Prussian, and finally Hessian state ownership
• Protective stone wall completed 1767; up to 5 meters high and nearly 3 kilometers in length
• Modern Steinbergkeller winery completed 2008, won Wine Architecture Prize 2010

Steinberg sits within the Rheingau at elevations that see slopes ranging from 15 to 40% gradient, all oriented south to southwest to maximize sun exposure. The climate is cool continental, with annual average temperatures of 10-11°C, 530-600mm of rainfall, and approximately 1,650 hours of sunshine per year. The Rhine acts as a thermal reservoir moderating temperatures, while the Taunus Mountains provide protection from wind. Soils vary across the site: upper sections feature stony, gravelly Taunus slate (phyllite) with quartzite, while lower sections shift toward sandy to clayey loam with loess. This diversity in soils and slope positions creates meaningful variation in wine character across the vineyard.

• Cool continental climate; 10-11°C annual average, 530-600mm rainfall, 1,650 sunshine hours
• Rhine provides thermal moderation; Taunus Mountains shield from wind
• Taunus slate (phyllite) with loess-loam and quartzite; varies from stony upper slopes to clayey lower sections
• South-southwest-facing slopes at 15-40% gradient optimize sun exposure

Steinberg is planted exclusively to Riesling and produces wines across the full stylistic spectrum, from dry Erstes Gewächs to sweet Prädikat wines including Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese. The mineral-driven character of the site, shaped by slate and quartzite soils, delivers wines of high acidity and notable complexity. The Zehntstück parcel, positioned on the middle slope, is recognized as the source of the finest dry wines. Vines trained directly against the stone wall experience a unique microclimate from heat reflection, producing what is locally called Mauerwein. Steinberg's Trockenbeerenauslese wines hold particular international renown.

• 100% Riesling; styles range from dry Erstes Gewächs to Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and TBA
• Mineral-driven profile with high acidity shaped by slate and quartzite soils
• Zehntstück parcel on the middle slope identified as producing the best dry wines
• Mauerwein: vines against the stone wall benefit from reflected heat, creating a distinct microclimate

Steinberg holds VDP Grosse Lage classification, the highest tier in the VDP pyramid, formerly designated Erste Lage. Its monopole status, held continuously since the medieval period, is among the oldest in Germany. The vineyard is one of the rare German sites permitted to appear on labels without the village name, a testament to its individual reputation. Kloster Eberbach itself is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and Steinberg forms a core component of Hessische Staatsweingüter's wider 200-plus hectare wine estate spanning multiple sites.

• VDP Grosse Lage (formerly Erste Lage); one of Germany's most prestigious single-vineyard classifications
• Historic monopole: sole ownership by Kloster Eberbach/Hessische Staatsweingüter since 1239
• Exempt from village name requirement on labels; appears simply as Steinberg
• Part of UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley