Pages That Mention Ellfield
W. Kinsey diary, 1817.
p. 31
right bank of the river immediately below the strong for tification erected by the command of Napoleon, as a sort of tete du pont for Mayence. Biberich is indeed a su- -perb residence, but much disused & it is difficult to find admission within its walls. The blue mountains of the Rhein- -gau are seen from the Chateau elevatig themselves on the right bank of the river, which here resemble a majestic lake, whose waters reflect the villages of Schierstein, Ell- -feld & Walluf, adorning their margins. The particular part of the country called Rheingau, so justly celebrated for its wines, extends from Nied-Waluf down to Lorch- -hausen, on a line of sloping hills, fronting the south, and sheltered from the N & N:E. winds. The wine made in the vineyard of Johannesberg is considered the best of all the wines produced in the Rhine & sells at a price con- -siderably higher, than the others. The hills inclosed within the two places mentioned are entirely clothed with vine- -yards in terraces, one above another. Abreast of the cha- -teau our view extended down the river to the hills, Jo- -hannisberg, & [Rochenburg?] & further on the horrizon the [illegible] -eph of Bingen, where the Rhine appears to terminate its course. On the Mayence side of the river the view is also very interesting. Walluf is called the port of the Rheingau in the neighbourhood of Schierstein [illegible] the beautiful river of the proud Chateau of Trauenstein. Ellfield is the principal place of the Rheingau district, & is a pretty object on the border of the river, with its Gothic towers & country houses. At Hatten- -heim below, they make an exquisite wine called Marke- -brunner. Johannisberg (Mt St. Jean), divided into terraces rises upon a gentle ascent & overlooks a charming country! From the summit you gain the whole extent of the Rhein-gau, with its numberless villages & towns, its country houses, [illegible] the mountains crowned with ancient castles in ruin, & the Islands scattered here & there in the river. The vineyards of Mt. St. Jean comprise a space of 55 ar- -pens, & all the vines are of the "Riessling" speices. The village stands at the bottom of the hill, the Convent of [illegible]