Location and Landscape
Gemmrigheim is a municipality in the district of Ludwigsburg in Baden-Württemberg and lies directly on the Neckar between Heilbronn and Stuttgart. The municipal area ranges from about 174 metres above sea level on the Neckar to roughly 275 to 285 metres in the higher north-eastern areas.
Steep Slopes on the Neckar
The vineyard slopes above the Neckar are predominantly oriented to the west and form a terrain step that rises by around 100 metres. Terraced vineyards with dry-stone walls reach gradients of at least 45 degrees and often lie directly at the edge of the settlement.
Soils and Climate
Gemmrigheim lies in the Muschelkalk–Keuper landscape of the Neckar basin. On the steep slopes, at the foot Trochiten limestone and above it the Meißner formation are exposed; to the east and north-east, locally Lettenkeuper replaces the terrain step. Muschelkalk soils, heat-storing rock, dry-stone walls and the sunlight reflected by the river shape viticulture. The annual precipitation totals around 700 millimetres, and the average annual temperature around 9 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Viticulture and History
Gemmrigheim has been documented as a winegrowing municipality since the 12th century. Many plots on the steep slopes can only be cultivated by hand; the harvest there is also carried out manually. During the growing season, water points are available for irrigation, and numerous vineyards are irrigated in summer. The local winegrowers’ cooperative joined the Felsengarten cellaring company in 1961.
