Location and classification
Greuth is an inhabited settlement and an administrative district of the municipality of Castell in the district of Kitzingen, Bavaria. The place is located in Franconia.
Vineyard sites
In the Bavarian vineyard register, Greuth is assigned to the Schwanberger Land area. The Bastel belongs to the Großlage Schild, while Hohnart and Kirchberg are single vineyard sites associated with Castell-Greuth. The Greuther Bastel lies in a sheltered bay between the Abtswinder Altenberg and the Casteller Schlossberg; its slopes face south, south-west and west.
Soils and grape varieties
At the Greuther Bastel, weathered Keuper soils with clayey and fine-slate material shape the site. Kirchberg has deep, fertile gypsum Keuper with a high limestone content and mineral influences from alabaster vein deposits. Hohnart is a warm south-facing site with warm days and cooler nights. For the Greuther Bastel, Silvaner is documented; for Hohnart, Silvaner and Riesling; and for Kirchberg, Weissburgunder.
Viticulture and wine style
Winegrowing in the Greuther Berg has been documented since 1266. A documented Silvaner from the Greuther Bastel is described as dry, full-bodied, structured, savoury, herbaceous and finely mineral. Hohnart wines show fruity aromas, savoury mineral character and occasionally exotic fruit notes, while Kirchberg wines have a light flint character. For the Bastel Silvaner, selective hand-harvesting, maceration time, gentle processing, predominantly spontaneous fermentation in wooden casks, longer contact with yeast and extended maturation are documented; a Hohnart Riesling was fermented spontaneously and matured for one year on the lees in Casteller oak barrels.
