Vineyard site : Freundstück Forst

Grape varieties cultivated

65% Riesling, 35% Spätburgunder (pinot noir)

Geographic situation

120 - 130 m above sea level
The smallest of the individual vineyard areas in Forst, 'Freundstück' is flat and faces partly south. It borders on the village of Forst and on the excellent and well-known vineyard areas 'Kirchenstück' and 'Ungeheuer'. The classification based on land tax legislation introduced by the Bavarian monarchy in 1828 ranks 'FREUNDSTÜCK' amongst the top vineyard sites of the Palatinate. We therefore produce a 'Großes Gewächs' (Grand Cru) wine in our 'Freundstück' Riesling vineyard.

Soil structure

Coloured sandstone outcrops with occasional limestone.

Total area

3.53 hectares (8.83 US acres)

Origin of name

The name is derived from a family name 'Freund', meaning 'friend'.

Wine features

This top vineyard in near proximity to the village produces highly mature wines with a fine fruitiness. Due to the protected nature of the vineyard, the Riesling grapes ripen well and possess good structure, marked acidity and a distinctive mineral note. The basin-shaped valley which houses this vineyard site on the outskirts of the village is ideal - weather permitting - for the production of 'Eiswein' ('ice wine': remarkably rich, sweet wine from grapes picked and pressed while frozen). The Spätburgunder (pinot noir) wines grown here are characteristically fruity and are left to mature for 12-15 months in small oak casks.