Winery and guesthouse Bernhard-Räder

World famous and rich in stone

A bog (German: Moor) in Rheinhessen? Certainly not. The site was first mentioned in a document in 1282 with the name "in loco marstein" in a deed of donation to the Cistercian monastery of Otterberg (Pfalz) and can be interpreted as a "marker stone". In other words, it is a boundary stone or a landmark. It is indeed stony here: one stone found during clearing weighed up to 3.2 tons. In the upper soil layer, there are clay marl soils with limestone inclusions, and massive limestone rock underneath. Mineral Rieslings and Pinot Noirs bring world fame to the Westhofen winemakers. There are also plenty of vineyard cottages here, like the “Wingertshäusje Kommandozentrale".

> From Wingertshäuschen to Wingertshäuschen: https://www.rheinhessen.de/wingertsheisje-wanderweg
> To the other single vineyard sites of Westhofen: Aulerde, Brunnenhäuschen, Kirchspiel and Steingrube

Ober-Floersheim Blücher Trail 
In honor of the "Marshal Forward 

Starting in 1792, the Revolutionary War between the French and the Prussians raged. During a battle in Ober-Flörsheim on March 30, 1793, the Prussians were initially victorious. Where was their field marshal Colonel Blücher to be quartered? In the "Kommende" of the Teutonic Knights. This was a branch of the "Ballei" Marburg (i.e. Order Province) with an eventful history. Finally, however, in 1797 all territories on the left bank of the Rhine were annexed by France. However, in the 19th century Blücher was stylized as "Marshal Forward" and became a German national hero. Without a doubt, the single vineyard is named in his honor. On limestone and loess the winegrowers like to cultivate strong red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon.  

> Discover more about Ober-Floersheim history:  
https://www.ober-floersheim.de/seite/223752/geschichte.html
> Discover more about the church history of Damian Hungs, pastor and chaplain: http://www.damian-hungs.de/geschichte/kommenden-des-deutschen-ordens/kommende-ober-floersheim/

Fire and flame for great wines

The single vineyard site "Flomborner Feuerberg" with its south-south-west orientation is indeed very sunny. The soil, consisting of sandy loam and above all limestone, stores heat very well. Therefore the name of the single vineyard does not come as a surprise. At night, however, everything cools down, as the vineyard has an altitude of 250 metres. Different varieties thrive here, such as Riesling, Pinot and Silvaner. Incidentally, the name of the village "Flomborn" does not come from the word "Flamme". It comes from a family name. Several churches, monasteries, convents and aristocrats had estates here. Among them was a "Rudewin von Flamburn", whose name appears in a document as early as 1208.

> More about the regional history of Flomborn https://www.regionalgeschichte.net/rheinhessen/flomborn.html

Wide range of grape varieties in the old part of the district

Nestled between the villages of Hillesheim, Dolgesheim, Wintersheim and Dorn-Dürkheim lies the single vineyard "Altenberg". This has nothing to do with senior vintners or old vines. The site was first mentioned in a document in 1618 with the name "im alten Berg". The area lies in the oldest part of the district. Apparently there was also a new part. A variety of grape varieties grow on loess and marl in the "Altenberg". A visit to the Evolution Column, a three-metre high marble column by the artist Achim Ribbeck, is worthwhile. A tribute to the important geological site above Dorn-Dürkheim: 80 vertebrate species have been found here, for example prehistoric horses.

No devil to be seen! Red wines on the famous southern slope

A significant landmark of the area: The imposing "Höllenbrand" sign, visible from afar on the A61 from Worms towards Alzey. Since 2016, the Rheinhessen logo has also been displayed on the terraced slope, which is 100 percent south-facing. The site was first documented in 1437 with the name "in dem hilprant" and in 1710 with the name "im Höllenrand". Both, the personal name Hildebrand and the Middle High German word "halde, hel, hölle" (for slope) could be the origin of the name. And the word "Brand" could belong to the Middle High German word "rant" and mean "mountain edge". So the hell fire has nothing at all to do with the devil. But the southern slope is as hot as hell: that's why winegrowers plant vines here for full-bodied wines, often red wines. It's a good thing that the soil - loess loam and limestone - has natural springs.

> Info about Gundersheim, which calls itself the "red wine paradise in the Wonnegau": www.gundersheim.de
> Discover the single vineyard via numerous hiking and biking trails. For example, on the Hiwwel route stage 4, Alzey-Worms, or via Mühlenradweg.