Location and landscape
Karlstadt lies in the middle Main valley in Lower Franconia, about 30 kilometres north of Würzburg and 12 kilometres south of Gemünden. Here, the Main valley is around 150 metres cut into the Main-Franconian highlands. The vineyard landscape comprises steep slopes and terraces, including the steep vineyard sites on the Gambacher Kalbenstein.
Climate and geology
The wine-growing area is described by the town as a mild Main valley climate. On the Gambacher Kalbenstein, the climate is influenced by the Mediterranean; dry-stone walls help to create favourable local conditions. Shell limestone forms an important geological base for the vineyard slopes. At the Kalbenstein, an almost complete profile of the Lower Shell Limestone, about 90 metres thick, is exposed, with limestone, marl and wavy limestone.
Viticulture and grape varieties
Karlstadt belongs to the Franconian wine-growing region in the Middle Main area. The Großlage Roßtal is assigned to Karlstadt. In the official directory of wine sites, Im Stein, Kalbenstein and Stein are listed as wine sites with reference to Karlstadt. The Karlstadt Im Stein is a very small site between Himmelstadt and Karlstadt. Silvaner has been grown in Karlstadt for more than 350 years; in addition, Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Domina and Spätburgunder are documented.
Wine character and wine-growing history
The wines from Karlstadt’s sites are described as mineral and spicy. The local Silvaner has earthy notes, fine fruit and moderate acidity. For the Gambacher Kalbenstein, the start of winegrowing is assumed to be between about 400 and 600 AD; in 1306, viticulture is evidenced by the purchase of seven vineyards by Count Ludwig von Rieneck. The historic landscape is characterised by small plots, terraces, dry-stone walls, steps, hedges and dry strips of land. Traditionally, the vines were worked there, among other things, with the hoe, trained on wooden posts and grown in mixed plantings, the Franconian Satz.
