Location and municipality
Abstatt is located in Württemberg at the foot of the Swabian-Franconian Forest. The municipality comprises around 966 hectares and lies at a stated elevation of 238 metres above sea level. It includes Abstatt, Happenbach, Vohenlohe and Burg Wildeck.
History
Abstatt was first mentioned in writing in 1361. Archaeological finds provide evidence that the area was already settled in the Neolithic period and in the Bronze Age; the permanent settlement is believed to have developed between the seventh and ninth century.
Vine cultivation at Burg Wildeck
The Burg Wildeck lies on a prominent south-facing spur at the edge of the Löwenstein Hills at around 330 to 370 metres in height. The roughly 13 hectares of vineyard area are farmed by the State Wine Estate Weinsberg. The soils consist mainly of sandy-clayey marl from the Keuper; reed sandstone has also been documented.
The cooler hill climate has relatively high rainfall levels compared with other State Wine Estate sites. At the same time, mostly fog-free, dry and warm autumn conditions ensure long growing seasons and late ripening. Wine growing at Burg Wildeck has been documented in writing for about four centuries; in 1653 Muscat varieties and other varieties were mentioned.
Grape varieties and cultivation
At Burg Wildeck, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Kerner, Samtrot, Spätburgunder and Acolon are grown, among others. The tested, fungus-resistant varieties include Calardis Blanc, Floreal, Sauvignac, Souvignier Gris and Sauvitage. The operation was switched back to organic winegrowing from 2021 and has been trialled, including cover cropping, regional seed mixes, new training systems, as well as grazing with sheep and goats.
A documented dry Abstatt Riesling from the 2025 vintage originates from Burg Wildeck. The organic wine was made from selected fully ripe grapes and old vines and was aged in a stainless-steel tank on fine lees.
