Location and landscape
Kreuzwertheim is located in the south-eastern Main triangle between wooded ridges and belongs to Franconia. The municipal area covers about 2,014 hectares and extends from 140 to 412 metres above sea level.
Climate and history
The local administrative authority classifies the climate as mild oceanic, with cooler summers and moderately cold winters. In this context, the valley location is considered milder than the higher-lying areas of the surrounding hilly countryside. The settlement was first mentioned in 779 under the name Werdheim, and in 1009 it was granted market rights.
The building erected in 1594 by Peter Herrschaft has housed a winery since that time.
Kaffelstein vineyard site
The Kaffelstein is a traditional hillside site with an incline of about 60 percent, a southern to south-south-easterly orientation, and an elevation of 202 to 238 metres. The subsoil is documented as Buntsandstein. The site is described as one of the remaining traditional hillside sites in the region and is listed in the official vineyard register as an approved single-site name for Kreuzwertheim.
For Kaffelstein, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Silvaner are documented. Dry wines of these grape varieties are evidenced with 0.2 to 3.4 grams of residual sugar per litre. The first written mention of the site dates the producer to more than 700 years ago.
Winemaking and ageing
A Kaffelstein Riesling fermented spontaneously, aged for 32 months in stainless steel, including 19 months on full lees, and was bottled unfiltered. After spontaneous fermentation, the Silvaner matured for twelve months in French barriques and was likewise bottled unfiltered. For the Pinot Noir, following spontaneous fermentation, 24 months of maturation in French barriques took place.
