Winery beak

The picturesque chapel surrounded by vines

It is one of the landmarks of Rheinhessen: the Chapel of the Cross in Gau Bickelheim, surrounded by vines. With its red-tiled roof and warm sandstone walls, it really shines out. The single vineyard is named after the place of worship. The "Oberschultheiss Johann Jakob Hees zu Gau-Böckelheim" donated half of his precious vineyard in 1755 for the construction of the chapel. Various grape varieties grow on clay marl and limestone. Fourteen Stations of the Cross line the path from the village to the Chapel of the Cross, through this single vineyard.

> Info about the Kreuzkapelle Gau-Bickelheim: https://www.regionalgeschichte.net/rheinhessen/gau-bickelheim/kulturdenkmaeler/kreuzkapelle.html
> Also discover the nearby Via Vinea route; for hikers, Nordic walkers and skaters https://www.rheinhessen.de/a-via-vinea
> Why the writing "1250" on the photos? The photos were taken in 2021, the anniversary year of the village of Gau-Bickelheim. 

Limestone hell: Sun-kissed vines, cool limestone aromas  

Yes, the vineyard is south-facing and sun-drenched. However, the name does not mean that it is a  sinking hot hell. "Hell" rather refers to a gentle slope. The site was mentioned in documents in the mid-15th century with the name "uff helden" and at the end of the 17th century with the name "zu höllen". Clay marl and fertile loess are found here as a base. The subsoil is limestone, which is predestined for top Rieslings and Pinot Noirs. As early as 1963, the Saulheimer Ortschronik wrote: "The Nieder-Saulheimer wine is powerful, of exceptional quality and purity. The top wines from the Zu Höllen, Probstey, Hauben and Norenberg vineyards deserve special mention."

> Hiking, cycling tours, history, tourism etc. of Saulheim: https://www.saulheim.de/kultur-tourismus/ 

Castles, warm winds and no man's land

On 6 May 1588, "Seyfried von Dienheim" laid the foundation stone for the construction of the castle in Nieder-Saulheim. After the French Revolution, the estate passed into private hands - and it still is today. The vineyard, named after the castle, is characterised by deep clay and lime and clay marl. The microclimate is unique: the surrounding hills - like a cauldron - protect the vines from the wind. There is a connection to the river Rhein through the Selz valley. Even on cold autumn days, warm winds reach the Schloßberg. The Pertel tower, built by the Dechent family winery, offers a magnificent panorama. The stretch between Saulheim and Partenheim is so quiet and deserted that locals call it "no man's land".

> Regional history of Saulheim: https://www.regionalgeschichte.net/rheinhessen/saulheim/kulturdenkmaeler/schloss-nieder-s.html 
> Info about the Pertelturm: https://www.pertelturm.de/pertelturm/
> The dearest knight of Saulheim was known for his "thirst for wine". Info about the knight Hundt: https://www.saulheim.de/zu-saulheim-steht-der-ritter-hundt/