The geography of the Rheingau is very distinct. Around Wiesbaden, the river Rhine detours from its northward flow to flow west for about 30 km before it flows north again. The greater part of the Rheingau is situated here on the river's right bank, but the region also includes the stretch along Rhine after it turns northward again, around the villages Assmannshausen and Lorch. Also included are vineyards in Hochheim on the Main river, just before it flows into Rhine. The Rheingau spans about 50 km from end to end. North of the Rheingau rises the Taunus mountain range, so most of the Rheingau's vineyards are on south-facing slopes between mountains and river, which provides excellent wine-growing conditions in these northerly latitudes
