Location and Landscape
Michelbach (Dörsthöfe) comprises a small settlement at the lower end of a side valley. The Dörsthöfe lie on an alluvial fan in the lower slope area and are locally drained by the Wolfsbach. Winegrowing is carried out on the surrounding slopes.
Relief and Soils
A documented terrain profile from the Wolfsbach to the upper height ridge extends over about 645 metres and rises from around 200 to 366 metres above sea level. The subsoil consists, among other things, of alternating deposits of quartzite and mica schist; in the upper part of the western slope, quartzite slate occurs. The locally described soils include brown soils, podsolised brown soils and para-brown soils, as well as colluvial and floodplain soils.
Climate and Viticulture
The local climate is classified as an oceanic Cfb climate with prevailing south-westerly winds. Over the long-term period, an average warming of about 0.5 °C per decade was documented for the annual mean temperature. The vineyard site Aloisengarten is officially listed for the Dörsthöfe in the quality winegrowing region Franken.
History of Viticulture
The Dörsthöfe are first documented in 1469 as an estate farm in the district of Somborn. Historical accounts describe viticulture in Michelbach as more extensive than it is today. Its revival in the second half of the 19th century is associated with David Domer; a wine label from 1865 has been preserved in a local museum.
