Location and landscape
Berghaupten is a municipality in the Ortenau district in Baden-Württemberg and lies in the Kinzigtal between Offenburg and Gengenbach. The municipal area covers 970 hectares and extends from the wide Kinzigtal over two side valleys into the Black Forest. The elevation ranges from about 172 to 438 metres above sea level; the highest point is the Staufenkopf.
Climate and viticulture
The region is considered climatically favourable. On the slopes, including at the village hill (Dorfberg), the climate supports the cultivation of vines and fruit. The Berghauptener Schützenberg is classified as a VDP.ERSTE LAGE in Baden. The site, which faces south to south-southeast, lies at an altitude of around 220 to 280 metres and has gneiss, as well as gneiss weathering material, as its geological parent material.
Grape varieties and wine styles
For the Schützenberg, Riesling, Weißer Burgunder and Chardonnay are classified. Dry wines of these grape varieties are documented, as well as a Riesling Auslese with naturally remaining residual sweetness. The Chardonnay is fermented in new and used French barriques and matured on the lees, while the Riesling is fermented in a fine stainless-steel tank and aged on the fine lees. A traditional bottle-fermented Chardonnay sparkling wine with 42 months on the lees is also documented.
History and wine-growing sites
Berghaupten was first mentioned in 1277 in a partition document of the two right-bank Geroldsecker lines. The name Schützenberg refers to the historical use of the site by marksmen for festive and ceremonial occasions. The single-vineyard site Kinzigtäler is also listed in a Baden-Württemberg wine-law register and includes Berghaupten as the associated municipality.
