The "Roter Hang" (Red Slope) is world-renowned for its unique Rieslings. Its iron-rich, reddish soil formed approximately 280 million years ago and was exposed as a steep slope during the subsidence of the Rhine Valley. The rock is not slate but rather claystone and sandstone—known as "Rotliegendes"—which exhibits a layered structure resulting from weathering and sedimentation. The influence of ancient rivers, lakes, and seas has left behind ripple-like formations as well as fish and shark fossils. Thanks to the dark soil color and high levels of solar radiation, these are warm vineyard sites; consequently, the heat-loving Riesling grape was planted here as early as the late 15th century. In search of water, the vines must send their roots deep into the ground, absorbing the soil's unique mineral components in the process. Stretching from Schwabsburg through Nierstein to Nackenheim, the Roter Hang imparts a distinctive, spicy, and mineral character to the wines. Our finest Rieslings originate from the Schloss Schwabsburg site—home to our flagship "Rabenturm" vineyard—as well as the Orbel and Pettenthal sites.

Thanks to a diverse geological history, Nierstein offers not only the characteristic "Rotliegend" soils but also substantial limestone strata, as well as clay and loess soils. In the context of climate change, the Paterberg site is attracting particular attention. Marine deposits from a calcareous algal reef have created light-colored soils here that do not heat up excessively and possess excellent water-retention capabilities. Alongside grape varieties native to limestone-rich regions—such as the Pinot family and Sauvignon Blanc—we have also planted young Riesling vines in this "cool-climate" site. The result is wines characterized by salinity and cool freshness—an intriguing contrast to the wines from the "Roter Hang".