Location and landscape
Erlabrunn lies on the River Main between the river and the Volkenberg in the wine-growing region Franken. Above the Main valley and to the west of the settlement is the Erlabrunner Weinsteig, with small, parcelled vineyard plots on the steep slopes of the Volkenberg, which are mostly oriented to the south. The gradient reaches up to 45 per cent.
Soils and winegrowing
The Weinsteig is located in the landscape of the Main valley, shaped by Muschelkalk. Its deep, heavy soils developed on Muschelkalk; in addition, Keuper sandstone and transitional material occur. As a single vineyard site, the Weinsteig belongs to the larger site of Ravensburg in the Middle Main area. Documented there, among other varieties, are Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Bacchus, Kerner, Scheurebe, Weissburgunder, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Domina, Dornfelder and Blauer Zweigelt. Both white and red wines are produced from the site.
History and name
Erlabrunn was first mentioned in 1209. Winegrowing in the municipal area has been documented at the latest since the end of the 13th century; in 1342, vineyards in Erlabrunn are mentioned. The grape in the municipal coat of arms stands for the importance of winegrowing. A land consolidation in winegrowing began in 1984 and led to the creation of new plots. The name “Erlabrunner Weinsteig” can, in accordance with the specifications of the Bavarian wine-growing sites directory, be used as a geographical designation for quality wines and Prädikatsweine.
