Location and landscape
Ettenheim is located in the southernmost part of the Ortenau between the Rhine plain and the Black Forest. The municipal area covers 4,890 hectares, including around 230 hectares of vineyards. Elevations range from 150 to 543 metres above sea level; the landscape is characterised by foothills of the Black Forest, vineyards and orchards.
Viticulture
Ettenheim belongs to the wine-growing region Baden and is described by the town as one of Baden’s traditional wine-growing municipalities. Viticulture comprises a growers’ cooperative and several private wineries. Environmentally friendly controlled viticulture was introduced in Ettenheim already during an early pioneering phase.
Important grape varieties include in particular Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay and Auxerrois, as well as Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and newer varieties. Full-bodied Spätburgunder are documented, as well as fresh, nuanced wines made from Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay and Auxerrois.
Kaiserberg
The wine landscape Kaiserberg links Ettenheim with Ringsheim and Herbolzheim. There, the Heuberg observation tower stands at around 282 metres above sea level. The vineyard areas feature loess soils with a thickness of six to twelve metres; as a result of human use, hollow paths were created in the loose loess deposits.
A learning trail provides information about viticulture, work in the vineyards and grape varieties. The varietal garden comprises around 85 grape varieties; for vineyard areas in the Kaiserberg area, hand-harvesting is also documented.
Historical background
Ettenheim’s settlement history has been documented since the early Middle Ages. The first written references date from around 810 to 900. Ettenheim received town charter in 1302 or 1304.
