20% of the grapes come from the staircase-steep amphitheater-shaped vineyards of Urziger Würzgarten (Spice Garden). The volcanic rhyolitic soils are layered with red slate. Due to the southern exposure and the protective rocks, Urziger Würzgarten is one of the warmer microclimates, producing opulent, aromatic, spicy Riesling with a typical zesty finish. However, the wine is dominated by characteristics typical of the Erdener Treppchen, located one kilometer downstream, where the terroir, microclimate, and wines are entirely different. Due to its western orientation, the slightly lesser gradient, and the lack of slate cliffs, Erdener Treppchen is cooler, which combined with the blue slate soil, produces more delicate wines with racy acidity. The wine is named after the large rock separating these two Grand Cru vineyards: the Grand Lay. The 40 to 50- year-old vines are grown on original European rootstocks and are VSP-trained which allows easy canopy management. Summer leaf removal provides good air circulation and slows down photosynthesis resulting in a later harvest producing berries with less sugar, less alcohol, and good aromatic maturity. Hand harvested.