Three grand cru vineyards (from left to right): Ürziger Würzgarten, Erdener Prälat and Erdener Treppchen
It has been a while since I last posted a vineyard photo and I remember that I had been meaning to post more. Yet, I don’t have all that many great photos of vineyards so this series is a slow project. But today I came across a stunning photo, taken with a fish eye lense of three vineyards that are very dear to me: the Ürziger Würzgarten, the Erdener Prälat and the Erdener Treppchen. The stretch of the Mosel is actually quite straight in that area, it is the fish eye lense that makes it look like it curves.
The Würzgarten stretches further out to the left of the photo. The tiny white thing you see on the left is the Ürziger Sonnenuhr, one of the many sun dials along the Mosel. It is the old heart of the Würzgarten. In the center of the photo, under the red rocks, is Erdener Prälat, one of the top sites on the Mosel. The micro climate is insane: It is the first plot to lose snow in spring, and the vines usually are up to 14 days ahead in their growth. To the right starts the stretch that is the Erdener Treppchen. If you read my piece about the Karl Erbes Kranklay Spätlese: The area slightly to the left and up from Prälat is the amphitheater that forms the Kranklay.
There are now hiking trails through these very steep and exciting vineyards. If you get a chance, I can only encourage you to take a day, hike, and then try wines at one (or more) of the wineries. It sure has made for some of my best days on the Mosel.
The photo was taken by Christian Hermann of Dr. Hermann winery.
the winegetter 
What a wonderful photo – almost surreal!
I miss that place often…
Beautiful!
It sure is…
Oliver,
I loved reading your commentary to the image: it provides a lot of context.
It looks like a very beautiful place, and I would love to go on a hike there as you recommend: I am pretty sure it would make me go thirsty very soon! ;-)
I hope we can realize that together in the future. So much more fun in groups!
That would be wonderful!
Beautiful!! Mosel is on my bucket list! Whenever we’re in Germany, we stick close to Bavaria with my husband’s grandfather, who lives in Pullach. And there . . . we drink bier!! :o)
Yeah, I can see that having its perks, too. If you don’t want to travel as far as the Mosel, Franconia also has a lot to offer and is part of Bavaria! :)
I really enjoy Franken wine . . . though I haven’t had a bottle in waaaay too long! I need to fix that . . . Prost!
Lovely. Fascinating–
there is so much in the world to see, do, learn. That picture makes me want to plant a vineyard. But where would I plant one? I’ll think I’ll have to make it a metaphorical one…
Not the worst thing in the world, a metaphorical vineyard…