Location and landscape
Maulbronn is located in the Kraichgau-Stromberg region in the Stromberg-Heuchelberg Nature Park and is part of Württemberg. The municipal area lies in the foothills of the Stromberg, near the watershed between the drainage systems of the Rhine and the Neckar.
Winegrowing with monastic tradition
Winegrowing in Maulbronn has been documented at least since the 12th century and is linked to the founding of the monastery by the Cistercian order. The Closterweinberg was created shortly after the monastery was founded in 1147.
The Closterweinberg
The Closterweinberg lies as a steep slope directly north of the monastery grounds. Inclined sandstone walls and steep stairways divide it into narrow terraces. The site covers about 3.5 hectares, around 1.2 hectares of which are planted with vines. After the overgrown historical vineyard was cleared, it was replanted in 1999 and continues to be cultivated mainly by hand. The mild small-climate area and a weathered soil formed from reed sandstone shape the location. Grapes grown include, among others, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Lemberger, Weißburgunder, Spätburgunder and Regent; the white wines are described as full-bodied and mineral.
The Eilfingerberg
According to local sources, the Eilfingerberg was laid out about 850 years ago by Cistercian monks. The site is characterised by reed sandstone from the Triassic Keuper, which forms a rounded geological ledge there. It faces east through south-east to south-south-east, lies at an altitude of 260 to 320 metres, and has slope inclinations of 10 to 50 percent. The soil is given as Bunter marl; classified grape varieties are Riesling, Weißer Burgunder and Lemberger.
