Winzergenossenschaft Herxheim am Berg

The Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg: Tradition and Quality Since 1937

The Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg was founded in 1937 and today unites about 20 active winemaking families who jointly cultivate around 170 hectares of vineyards. These areas extend not only over Herxheim but also include lands from Dackenheim, Freinsheim, and Kallstadt. The individual vineyards Herxheimer Honigsack, Herxheimer Kirchenstück, and Himmelreich play a central role in the cooperative.

Philosophy of the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg: Wine Varieties in Harmony with Nature

The Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg offers a diverse range of wines that is also organized according to the altitude of the vineyards. Each category reflects its own philosophy and style:

Elevation – Down-to-earth Entry-level Wines

The wines in the "Elevation" category are grounded entry-level wines, offered in liter bottles. They primarily represent traditional Palatinate varieties and impress with a clear expression and varietal-specific development. These wines are ideal for uncomplicated enjoyment and provide solid quality.

Slope – Refreshing Everyday Companions

"Slope" wines stand for lightness and a harmonious balance. They combine clarity, structure, and expression with a refreshing fruitiness. The aging mainly takes place in stainless steel tanks, partly also in wooden barrels, making the wines uncomplicated companions for everyday use. The broad spectrum of grape varieties occasionally surprises with small peculiarities.

Plateau – Versatile Food Companions

The wines from the "Plateau" category are multifaceted food companions, characterized by fruit and volume. They showcase the full potential of individual grape varieties and are distinguished by their structure and depth. A late harvest and prolonged fine lees aging ensure complex aromas. Red wines from this line are aged in 40- to 50-year-old Palatinate wooden barrels, which adds additional complexity.

Peak – The Essence of Work

The "Peak" wines embody the essence of the wine cooperative and are the flagship of their philosophy. These complex and powerful wines are aged in Barrique or Tonneau, giving them character and depth. In the vineyard, the grapes are carefully hand-picked and selected, refined in the cellar with the highest know-how. Each of these exceptional wines tells its own fascinating story.

The Growing Region of the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg: Palatinate – A Paradise for Wine Lovers

Herxheim am Berg, the highest municipality along the German Wine Route at 212 meters above sea level, offers ideal conditions for viticulture due to its exceptional location, climatic conditions, and soils. These unique circumstances have made Herxheim a quality location for viticulture for centuries.

Geographical Location and Characteristics of the Terroir

The vineyards of the cooperative benefit from an excellent geographical location. The soils are diverse, ranging from limestone to loess and clay, which imparts a special minerality and complexity to the wines.

Climatic Conditions

Protected by the Palatinate Forest to the west, which shields against cold winds and bad weather, the vineyards benefit from a favorable microclimate. The slopes that descend to the north, east, and south promote a constant airflow that protects the vines from rot. Changing day and night temperatures provide a balanced acidity structure, while the many hours of sunshine allow for optimal grape ripening.

Preferred Grape Varieties

In the Palatinate, both white and red grape varieties are successfully cultivated. The Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg cultivates a variety of grape varieties that have adapted optimally to the given conditions.

The Vineyard Locations of the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg: Individual Positions with Character

The cooperative manages several outstanding individual locations:

• Herxheimer Honigsack: This location is characterized by its special soil composition and favorable microclimate, leading to high-quality wines.
• Herxheimer Kirchenstück: Known for its mineral soils that impart a special finesse to the wines.
• Himmelreich: A site that is appreciated for its fruity and elegant wines.

Diversity of Grape Varieties in the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg

The Wine Cooperative cultivates a wide range of grape varieties:

White Wines

• Riesling
• Müller-Thurgau
• Silvaner
• Auxerrois
• Kerner
• Morio Muscat
• Gewürztraminer
• Scheurebe
• Weißburgunder
• Grauburgunder
• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Ortega

Red Wines

• Blauer Portugieser
• Dornfelder
• Spätburgunder
• St. Laurent
• Acolon
• Regent
• Frühburgunder
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Other Cabernet Varieties

Soil Diversity: The Foundation for Characterful Wines

The vines of the Wine Cooperative thrive on different soils, including limestone, loess, and clay. This diversity significantly contributes to the complexity and individuality of the wines.

Winemaking in the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg: Tradition Meets Modernity

Winemaking is carried out using the latest technology while considering traditional methods. White wines are mainly aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve their freshness and fruitiness. Red wines mature in both stainless steel tanks and wooden barrels to provide them with structure and depth. However, mash can also play a role in winemaking.

Stylistics and Variety of Wines from the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg

The wines from the cooperative are characterized by their clear fruit, elegance, and expressive strength. The range includes:

• Fresh and aromatic white wines
• Powerful and full-bodied red wines
• Fine sparkling wines
• Light and tangy seccos

But rosé wines and non-alcoholic wines also find a place at the Wine Cooperative.

Special Wines of the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg

The Wine Cooperative offers a variety of different grape varieties. With their Burgundy wine, they see themselves as "Burgundy specialists of the Palatinate", as they can draw on years of experience and improvements and not just rely on Riesling.

The pursuit of quality by the Wine Cooperative Herxheim am Berg has also been rewarded with numerous awards, including the state honor prize in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.