Weingut Raddeck

Not a swear word, but full-bodied praise

The single vineyard is located at the southern end of "Roter Hang" in a side valley towards Schwabsburg. The name Orbel was mentioned in the community chronicles as early as 1386. "Ölbel" is a dialect word borrowed from the dialect of the locals. An "Ölbel" is a broad, strong, four-bearded man who appears uncouth. A swear word! In relation to the wine, however, it is not a negative association: the wines here are full-bodied, juicy and rich. Riesling or Silvaner grow on loess and red-lying soil that is fissured like slate gravel. Not far from the site: the Schwabsburg castle tower.

> Audio to the hiking trail, station Orbel: https://roter-hang.de/weinerlebnis/orbel/ 
> To the suitable hike above the single vineyard: https://www.outdooractive.com/de/route/wanderung/rheinhessen/von-nierstein-zur-niersteiner-warte-und-zur-schwabsburg/33918115/#dmdtab=oax-tab3 
> Discover the single vineyard by bike: https://www.rheinhessen.de/amiche-radweg 

Biblical reference, oil mill or oily Rieslings?

Is the single vineyard named “Ölberg” because an oil mill once stood here? Or did the Ölberg get its name because of the oily consistency of the wines produced here? Does the site maybe have biblical references, named after a monastery? Anything is possible. The single vineyard is part of the "Roter Hang" but turns away from the river Rhein and faces south-southeast, situated above Nierstein. Partly very steep with a gradient of up to 60 percent. Like it is tpical for Roter Hang, the soil here is Rotliegendes, the iron oxide-containing, and landscape-defining red shining clay slate. The dominant grape variety is Riesling. In the middle of the vineyard: the Wartturm, a Nierstein landmark. Once a medieval signal tower from the 12th century.

> Discover the single vineyard by bike: https://www.rheinhessen.de/amiche-radweg

> Info about the Nierstein Wartturm: https://www.rheinhessen.de/a-wartturm-von-nierstein
> Wine events, winemakers and more: https://roter-hang.de/

Limestone and Pinot vines for the monk’s vineyard

The "Niersteiner Paterberg" stretches from Nierstein in the direction of Oppenheim almost until Dexheim in gentle sweeps. Loess and limestone dominate the subsoil here. The old quarry, which was photographed here from above, is clearly visible. This single vineyard is no longer part of "Roter Hang". Various grape varieties grow here, many Pinot varieties, also Pinot Noir. The wines from this vineyard are filigree. The term "Pater" is a synonym for monk. The name thus goes back to the property of a monk's monastery. On the edge of the single vineyard stands the "Trutzburg". A somewhat unusual and funny building that is also used by the regional radio amateurs.

Boy's name? Toad migration? Rieslings of world fame!

A vineyard of world fame! As the name "Thal" (old German word for valley) suggests, this single vineyard site begins in the valley, directly by the river Rhein, and then climbs steeply up the "Roter Hang". This single vineyard site is the steepest section on "Roter Hang" - very valuable and extremely sought after by winegrowers. The cadastral name has existed since 1753. Where does the name come from? There are several interpretations. The most common variant would be the boy or family name Peter. It could also be derived from Pater, meaning monk. The vineyards were owned by the church for a long time. Or - as they say in Nierstein: "Petten" refers to toads that migrate to the springs and sump holes that emerge above. An indication of this is that an adjacent area is called "Stumpe Loch", which is probably derived from Sumpfloch. Whether ordinary boy's name or ordinary toad: the Rieslings, on the other hand, are not ordinary at all. They are mineral, expressive and capable of ageing. They grow on bare red clay sandstone and get plenty of sun all day long.

> Discover the single vineyard site by bike: https://www.rheinhessen.de/amiche-radweg
> More information about the vineyards of the "Roter Hang": https://roter-hang.de/roter-hang/weinlagen/