Mittlere Nahe (Schlossböckelheim–Norheim)

The Middle Nahe is the heartland of the region and extends from Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg via Traisen and Norheim to Schlossböckelheim and Niederhausen. The valley is narrow here and marked by prominent rock formations such as the Rotenfels and the Rheingrafenstein. The vineyards line steep terraces with sites such as Hermannshöhle, Felsenberg, Kupfergrube, Dellchen, Bastei and Brücke.

The bedrock is volcanic: porphyry and melaphyre, along with slate and greywacke; rhyolite occurs at the Rotenfels. The dark rocks store heat by day and release it at night, while cool air flows in from the side valleys; the wide temperature swings between day and night favour aromatic ripeness with preserved acidity.

Riesling leads on the best sites and yields multilayered, mineral wines, from dry to noble sweet. Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder are added. Estates such as Dönnhoff in Oberhausen, Gut Hermannsberg in Niederhausen, Dr. Crusius in Traisen and Jakob Schneider in Niederhausen are internationally known.