Kreuzberg
Facts:
- Town:
- Rossatz
- Size in ha:
- 27,05
- Altitude in m:
- 206 - 250
- Aspect:
- N
- Average Slope in %:
- 15
- Max. Slope in %:
- 59
- Insolation in hours per year:
- 2333
- Terraced vineyard:
- Partially
- Distance to Danube in m:
- 222
- Labour required in h:
- 9.500
- First documentary evidence:
- 1442
Description
The climate and soils of the Kreuzberg are defined by the transition from the Dunkelstein Forest. Cool fall winds in combination with a highly diverse paragneiss complex and amphibolite produce well-structured wines, which, though not as full-bodied as wines from the neighbouring Kirnberg, are nonetheless very profound and elegant. At the same time, the Kreuzberg is home to a very diverse dry grassland, where rare orchid species are found as well as Steinfedergras (feather grass), which lends its name to the Vinea brand. Although they are facing north, their location on the most north-facing peak of the Dunkelstein Forest bathes the vineyards in sunshine all day long.
Soil Profile Kreuzberg - Paragneis
The Kreuzberg at the foot of the Dunkelstein Forest is dominated by the metamorphic rock paragneiss. Here, the variable rock shows itself from its colourful side. The 50-cm topsoil layer consists of sandy, stony material which is enriched with humus in the upper 15 cm. The reddish-orange horizon represents a matrix of weathered, crumbly material coated with iron oxides, with some fist-sized feldspars. Underneath, the rock transitions from a dark mica-rich layer to a hornblende-rich amphibolite.
Soil Profile Kreuzberg - Amphibolit
Two rock types, paragneiss and migmatite-amphibolite, occur at Kreuzberg near Rossatz. The profile was taken from the upper reaches dominated by dark-coloured amphibolite. The bedrock is covered with slope debris that has mostly been enriched with secondary carbonate from the former loess cover. Yellow feldspars are found among the large amphibolite fragments. The Kreuzberg vineyards face northwest, so that the vines thrive even in the hottest of summers. The long periods of evening sun provide enough warmth to ripen the grapes.
