Location and Landscape
Bad Bellingen is located in the wine-growing region of Markgräflerland in the south-west of Baden, on the eastern side of the Upper Rhine region, near the southern Black Forest. The wine-growing region Baden is a legally protected German wine-growing region; the Markgräflerland is one of its protected sub-regions.
The vineyards extend from the Upper Rhine plain towards the slopes of the southern Black Forest and, depending on the area, lie around 230 to 480 metres above sea level. The climate is considered sunny and warm: during the main growing season, around 1,300 to 1,400 hours of sunshine are reached, while the annual precipitation is around 800 to 900 millimetres. The predominant soils are loess, heavy marl and clayey loam; at higher elevations, weathered rock soils can be found.
Viticulture and Grape Varieties
The Markgräflerland encompasses around 3,200 hectares of vineyard area, around 70 per cent of which is planted with white grape varieties. Gutedel is the leading white grape variety in the region and is grown in Germany primarily here. Other documented grape varieties include Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder.
Wines from Gutedel and Müller-Thurgau are often produced regionally as light, low-acid drinking wines. Gutedel is also available as a Prädikatswein, and under the names Chasslie or Chasselas. The Bamlacher Kapellenberg is associated with the pilgrimage chapel Maria Hügel above Bamlach. The official wine route describes the neighbouring Schliengen Sonnenstück as a designated Großlage.
Historical Reference
In 1780, Gutedel was introduced at the initiative of the Margrave of Baden, Karl Friedrich, with vines from the Vevey area on Lake Geneva in the Markgräflerland. After recognition as a state-recognised spa town, the settlement received the addition “Bad” in 1968. The present-day municipality of Bad Bellingen was formed as part of the municipal reform in 1975.
