Location and landscape
Martinsheim is a municipality in the Kitzingen district in Lower Franconia, Bavaria, on the border with Middle Franconia. The municipal area lies in the natural regions of Ochsenfurter and Gollachgau. In the north, the steep stream valleys of the Ifftal shape the landscape, while the largest part lies on the elevated Ochsenfurt-Uffenheimer Gäufläche.
Climate and soils
The climate is described as moderately continental. The average annual temperature is about 7 to 8 °C, and annual precipitation is approximately 650 to 700 millimetres. In a planning area, layers of the Lower Keuper with a loess covering are present; the soils have been significantly altered by long-term agricultural use.
Vine-growing at Langenstein
Langenstein is an officially registered vineyard site of Martinsheim in the MainSüden wine-growing region and belongs to the wine region Franconia. Historical information lists the site since the 1970s under the name Martinsheimer Langenstein. For 1993, 2.3 hectares and for 2012, 0.0 hectares of vineyard area are recorded. The site has a south-westerly aspect and an average slope of 5 percent; the most important grape varieties given are Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus.
History and wine law
Martinsheim is documented in Würzburg sources from the early Middle Ages. The municipal chronicle mentions first being recorded in the 9th century and documents a mention of Heinrich von Merzensheim for 1293. The current municipality was formed in 1978 through the incorporation of the previously independent municipalities of Enheim, Gnötzheim and Unterickelsheim. Under the Bavarian vineyard register regulations, Langenstein is an allowable geographical designation for quality wines and Prädikat wines; the municipal name must be used together with the site designation. At least 85 percent of the grapes used must come from the specified geographical area.
