Location and climate
Bad Bergzabern is a town in the district of Südliche Weinstraße in Rhineland-Palatinate. The town covers 10.71 km² and lies at about 49.1029939° north latitude and 7.9990239° east longitude between the Palatinate Forest and the wine-growing region of Pfalz.
The town is described as a place with a mild climate and received recognition as a Kneipp health resort in 1958. In 1964, the name Bad Bergzabern was introduced.
Vineyard sites
The Altenberg lies on east-facing slopes above the town, at the transition from the wooded outliers of the Palatinate Forest to the Rhine plain. The wooded heights to the west protect the slopes, while cold air can drain eastwards towards the plain.
The soil of the Altenberg consists of weathered material from the Buntsandstein, with sandy to sandy-stony topsoils. Local loess and loess clay layers improve water and nutrient retention. The Wonneberg extends over the cadastral areas of Bad Bergzabern and Dörrenbach; its legally described boundaries were adjusted in 2023.
Wine and production
For the Altenberg, Weißburgunder (Pinot blanc) has been documented. A corresponding single-vineyard wine is vinified dry, has 13% by volume of alcohol and 0.1 g/l residual sugar. The grapes are hand-harvested, processed gently and fermented spontaneously in wooden casks.
Wines from the protected designation of origin Pfalz are protected as German g.U. and as PDO. The product specification includes, among other wines, white, red and rosé wines, Blanc de Noir, Weißherbst, Rotling as well as quality wines and Prädikat wines.
History
In the 12th century, a water castle was built at the Erlenbach. The later Bad Bergzabern palace is located at this site.
