Location and landscape
Kippenheim lies at the foot of the Black Forest at the transition between the Black Forest foothills and the Upper Rhine Plain. The municipality extends over the Lahr-Emmendinger foothills with their loess-covered blocks, as well as over areas of the adjacent Upper Rhine Plain with river terraces and loess-rich soils.
Climate and vineyards
The municipal area shows a climatic transition from the Upper Rhine Plain to the cooler and more precipitation-rich higher elevations. In the plain, the average annual temperatures are above 10 °C, while annual rainfall is about 700 millimetres. The vineyards are located in the foothill zone of the Black Forest, including hillside sites around the Haselstaude above the Maria-Frieden Chapel, as well as the Kirchberg.
Viticulture with a long tradition
Viticulture in Kippenheim-Schmieheim has been documented for a long time. The site of Haselstaude has been used for wine-growing at least since the 14th century. Kippenheim was first mentioned in the year 763; two grape knives in the municipal coat of arms point to the historical significance of wine-growing.
Grape varieties and wine style
Kippenheim belongs to the quality wine-growing region Baden and, under wine law, to the Breisgau area. Grown among others are Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muskateller, St. Laurent, Regent and Souvignier Gris. The local range includes red, white and rosé wines as well as sparkling wine and secco. The grapes are harvested by hand by the local winegrowers’ cooperative; a Spätburgunder is matured in wooden barrels.
