The VDP.ERSTE LAGE® BAIKEN belongs to the Rheingau village Rauenthal and is located in a crook at the base of the Rauenthal mountain near the Sulzbach tributary. It is from this location that the vineyard derives its name. Baiken stems from the Old High German word for “Beuge”, which means “crook”. Riesling is cultivated on this gentle 20 % slope that faces south to southwest. Vines benefit from optimal sun exposure and cool, fresh air from the Taunus forest. The GL BAIKEN lies between 150 to 210 metres a.s.l. Weathered phyllite slate, quartzite, and loess loam determine the soils. Underground aquifers provide the vineyard with good water availability.
History: By the end of the 19th century, the Rauenthal wines already enjoyed an excellent international reputation. This inspired the Royal Prussian estate administration to use the proceeds from the sale of property on the Neroberg in Wiesbaden to purchase the Wilhelmy Wine Estate in Rauenthal. This explains why Hessische Staatsweingüter buildings are found today in the Baiken vineyard