Location and landscape
Eberstadt is located in the eastern part of the Heilbronn district in the Weinsberger Tal and belongs to Württemberg. The municipality includes Eberstadt and Hölzern, as well as the hamlets of Klingenhof, Lennach and Buchhorn. The municipal area extends from the basin opening out into the Weinsberger Tal to the forested Sulmer Bergebene. The elevations range from about 175 metres in the Eberbachtal to about 335 metres in the Pfitzhofwald.
Geology and winegrowing
The Eberbach and the Schmalbach have cut broad valley basins into the local Keuper marl. The Sulmer Bergebene forms a horseshoe-shaped highland with, in places, steep slope edges. In the higher areas there is reed sandstone; flatter areas may be covered by loess. The location in the Eberbachtal is considered climatically favourable for winegrowing.
The boundary between Keuper marl and reed sandstone is particularly clearly visible at the Eberfirst above Buchhorn and often coincides with the transition from vineyards to woodland. Marl extracted from Keuper marl was used in the past to improve the soils of the vineyards.
Vineyard sites and grape varieties
Eberstadt is documented as a winegrowing municipality with vineyards around Eberstadt, Buchhorn, Lennach and Hölzern. The local vineyard sites include Eberfürst, Sommerhalde and Dezberg. According to the municipality, Trollinger, Lemberger, Riesling, Schwarzriesling and Spätburgunder grow particularly well. A documented local wine combination is Trollinger with Lemberger.
History of winegrowing
In Eberstadt, winegrowing has played an important role at the latest since the early 14th century. A manorial wine press was rebuilt between 1442 and 1443 with financial participation by the municipality. Historical sources provide evidence of wine tithing rights from the years 1499 and 1583. In the vineyards of Buchhorn, a historical municipal vineyard is also documented; at the foot of the vineyards stands a restored small wine-press building.
