Location in the Northern Black Forest
Gernsbach is located in Baden in the Northern Black Forest, at the transition from the Murg plain into the narrower, wooded Murg valley. The Murg river runs through the town and is described as the largest tributary of the Rhine in the Black Forest.
The municipal area extends from around 160 metres above sea level at the station to over 950 metres at Kaltenbronn. Around 80 percent of the area is forested. The Grafensprung is a steep granite rock formation below Eberstein Castle on the Murg.
Viticulture in Gernsbach
Gernsbach forms the northernmost extension of the Ortenau wine-growing region and is the starting point of the Ortenau Wine Trail. In the Staufenberg district, viticulture has been documented since 1274 as “vinea Stoufenberg”. After its lack of economic profitability in the 19th century, cultivation on the Staufenberg Grossenberg was resumed. According to information from the town, wine was also cultivated at Eberstein Castle as early as the 14th century.
Staufenberg Grossenberg
The Grossenberg is a steep single vineyard site at around 300 metres in elevation, protected by wooded slopes. The site has a microclimate specific to its location and is built on the Upper Rotliegend, which is associated with its acidic profile.
Farming is carried out organically, with cover crops to increase humus, and without synthetic herbicides and insecticides. Natural fertilisers and minerals are used; the grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the wine cellar.
Grape varieties and maturation
From the Grossenberg, Riesling, Grauburgunder and Blauer Spätburgunder are documented. The wines include dry and semi-dry Rieslings, semi-dry Grauburgunder and dry, sweet Spätburgunder matured in barrique.
Riesling and Grauburgunder are pressed as whole grapes and fermented at low temperatures. Red grapes are destemmed, pressed lightly and fermented on the skins; afterwards, the red wine matures for about two years in oak barrels.
