Location and climate
Hörstein is a southern district of Alzenau in Bavaria. The place lies on the north-western edge of Bavaria, close to the border with the Aschaffenburg district and with Hesse. Particularly mild climatic conditions have favoured viticulture here since historical times.
Viticulture and vineyard sites
Hörstein looks back on a documented tradition of winegrowing of more than 1,000 years. The vineyard sites include the Hörsteiner Abtsberg and the Reuschberg. The Abtsberg is classified as a VDP.ERSTE LAGE® and comprises a vineyard area of 10,92 Acres.
Hörsteiner Abtsberg
The Abtsberg faces south-west, lies at an altitude of about 230 metres and has slope gradients of 20 to 45 per cent. Metamorphic rocks with schist, gneiss and quartzite are given as the bedrock. The site is planted with Riesling, Silvaner and Spätburgunder.
History and context
Hörstein was mentioned as “Hurstin” in a tax register of the Benedictine abbey of Seligenstadt around the year 1000. The start of viticulture is assumed there to be around 900. Since 1975, Hörstein has been part of the town of Alzenau and is assigned to the German wine-growing region Franken.
