Location in the Kochertal
Forchtenberg lies in Württemberg. The municipal area extends along the Kocher as far as the western boundary of the Hohenlohe district and rises on both sides of the river towards the surrounding high plateaus. The historic town is situated on a hill spur between the Kocher and Kupfertal valleys; the Kochertal valleys facing south are described as sunny slopes.
Geology and landscape
Forchtenberg lies to the west of the Assamstadt shield and is influenced by the Niedernhaller Bruch. Lowered layers of rock at around 340 to 350 metres release water-bearing Lettenkeuper marlstone tones, which are in places covered by loess or loess loam. Side valleys cut through Keuper layers down to the Muschelkalk and form steep, narrow sections of valley.
Historical development and viticulture
In the 13th century, Forchtenberg developed below a castle built by Konrad von Dürn, which was completed by 1234. A document from 1298 referred to the settlement as a town. Agriculture, especially viticulture, was an important branch of the economy: for 1722, 404 morgen of vineyard area are documented, with winegrowing and a wine press already in place since the early 14th century. The castle cellar was expanded in 1680 to accommodate larger casks for the storage of the wine tithe.
Single vineyard: Flatterberg
The Flatterberg is registered as a single vineyard (Einzellage) with the designations “Ernsbacher Flatterberg” and “Forchtenberger Flatterberg” in the Württemberg wine-growing region, in the Kocher–Jagst–Tauber area and in the Großlage Kocherberg.
