Location and Vineyard Landscape
Kappelrodeck is located in the Achertal in the Ortenau region, at the transition between the Black Forest and the Rhine plain. The vineyards extend into the foothill zone of the Black Forest over steep slopes; above the town, the distinctive rock Dasenstein shapes the vineyard landscape. Kappelrodeck belongs to the wine region Baden.
Vineyard Areas and Soils
For Kappelrodeck and Waldulm, a total of 225 hectares of vineyard area are given. The vineyards of Hex Vom Dasenstein comprise around 180 hectares and are farmed by about 80 winegrowing families. The vines grow there on soils formed by granite weathering. In the district of Waldulm, the winegrowing cooperative has 115 hectares of vineyard area; the Pfarrberg is documented as a single-vineyard site.
Grape Varieties and Wine Style
Winegrowing is strongly focused on red wines, especially Spätburgunder and other Pinot varieties. At Dasenstein, Blauer Spätburgunder accounts for around 80 percent of the vineyard area; in addition, Weißer Burgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe and Gewürztraminer are cultivated. In Waldulm, about 85 percent of the vineyard area is given over to Blauer Spätburgunder and 15 percent to Grauer and Weißer Burgunder, Riesling and other varieties.
History and Cellaring
Kappelrodeck is first documented as being in existence in 1349 in a deed of ownership of the Strasbourg bishop’s court. The name Hex vom Dasenstein refers to a local legend handed down in 1356 and has been used for the vineyards around Kappelrodeck since 1971. At Hex vom Dasenstein, the grapes are hand-picked and sorted; Spätburgunder red wines mature in large wooden casks, partly also in barriques. In addition, sparkling wine is produced following the traditional bottle fermentation.
