Description
High elevation structure is central to the 2022 Schäfer-Fröhlich Nahe Riesling Großes Gewächs Halenberg, sourced from the estate’s monopole holding in Monzingen and farmed as one of the region’s most complex hillside sites. Blue slate, quartzite, and weathered sandstone layer through steep gradients that encourage deep rooting while shedding water quickly, and cooler exposures with constant airflow slow the pace of ripening into a long, closely tracked cycle. Sustainable farming is paired with detailed handwork, with selective picking parcel by parcel used to capture variation across the slope. Grapes are whole cluster pressed, then fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and large casks so each lot can develop on its own before final decisions are made. Extended lees contact supports integration ahead of bottling while maintaining the wine’s structural line. As a key pillar of the Schäfer-Fröhlich program, Halenberg offers a focused interpretation of Monzingen’s high altitude slate within the house’s consistent Grosses Gewächs framework.