QUARZITE AND WEATHERED SLATES – this soil is a special variant of the quartzite terroir. In many places, the layers of Taunus quartzite are interspaced with slate. The resistant quartzite weathers into large boulders. Under the subtropical conditions of the Tertiary the slate weathered into a red clay-rich fine earth. Quartzite boulders in a clay dominated matrix forms the subsoil at this site. The grey-brown topsoil also contains residual loess. The rate of erosion is high along the steep slope and much of the soil has already been removed. The remaining thin layer of soil is very stony and can only store limited amounts of water. In addition to this, the dense, clay subsoil is very difficult for roots to penetrate. These are demanding conditions for the grapevines. Although the soil is acid and contains no calcium carbonate, the clay supplies sufficient nutrients and trace elements.
     The soil is quick to warm because of the low water content and high solar radiation levels along the slope. As a result, the vine experiences water stress early in the year and must somehow cope with the available water. The plants react by reducing the number and size of the grapes. Therefore, theese sites produce low yields of very aromatic grapes.