The terraces of the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® MICHELSBERG vineyard lie on a former shell bed – the soils are characterized by robust calcareous marl and sandy loam. Sloping to the south, the vineyard rises from 110 to 150 meters above sea level and has a moderate gradient of 5 percent. The heat-retaining sandstone walls of the terraces protect the GL MICHELSBERG from frost. In summer, the walls act as heat reservoirs, warming the vines well into the night and thus extending the ripening period. At the same time, the slope has an airy structure, allowing moisture to dry quickly. History: The Michelsberg is the oldest documented vineyard in the Palatinate, dating back to 1155. It takes its name from the pilgrimage chapel of St. Michael, which stood there until 1601.