Location and Climate
Heidelberg lies on the south-western edge of the Odenwald between the Neckar valley and the Upper Rhine plain. The city belongs to the Baden wine-growing region; the vineyards are assigned to the wine-growing area of Badische Bergstraße. The mild climate is considered favourable for viticulture. The average annual temperature in Heidelberg is 10.2 °C, and 7.3 °C at the Königstuhl.
Relief and Soils
Wooded slopes flank the valleys of the Neckar and the Rhine. In the Heidelberg city forest, elevations range between 100 and 568 metres above sea level. Geologically, Middle Buntsandstein shapes the surrounding area, and accordingly sandy and sandy loam soils dominate. The south-west-facing Heidelberg Dachsbuckel has weathered Buntsandstein soils and is protected in the north and east by outliers of the Königstuhl massif.
Vineyard Sites and Cultivation
The Dachsbuckel comprises around seven hectares and has been farmed by the Bauer family since the late 1950s. Since 1967, the area has been permanently greened in order to reduce erosion and promote organic matter in the soil. The Heidelberger Herrenberg lies at an altitude of 120 to 200 metres, has loess and shell limestone soils, and is oriented from the south-west to the west. It is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE® with a classified area of 33 hectares. The historic Sonnenseite ob der Bruck still comprises around 1.4 hectares today.
History and Wine Style
Vine-growing in the Heidelberg area has been documented since the middle or late eighth century. The Hans Winter winery was founded in 1749 and is described as the oldest winery in the city. In Heidelberg, among other varieties, Riesling, Weißer Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder are documented. The range of wines includes dry Rieslings, Burgundies and Spätburgunder, as well as rosé, Kabinett and Spätlese.
