Foto: DWI/Dieth

The winegrowing area of Nahe is characterised by its variety of soils: green slates, quartzites, red conglomerates, sandstone, Carbonian plaices, weathered volcanic soils, loess and sea sand. Combined with the mild climate, these are excellent conditions for growing Riesling. This white vine grows on more than a quarter of the 4600 ha of the area. Besides, Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Kerner, Scheurebe and Grey Burgunder are cultivated.

The best sites are Traisener bastion (Traisener Bastei), Niederhausener Herrmanshoehle, Herrmansberg, Oberhaeusener Bridge (Oberhäusener Brücke), Schlossboeckelheimer Felsenberg, and in the area of Bad Kreuznach, Brueckes, Kroetenpfuhl and Kahlenberg.

Besides a number of large vine estates, that count among the best in Germany, you can find small-scale family businesses at the river Nahe. Vintager cooperatives account for 20% of the annual production at the Nahe.

Main vine varieties: Riesling (26%), Mueller-Thurgau (17%), Silvaner (9%).