Location and climate
Mühlacker is located in the Enz valley in the district of Enzkreis in Baden-Württemberg and is part of the Württemberg wine-growing region. The Enz runs through the town area; the Mühlhausen district lies in the Enz valley between Mühlacker and Vaihingen an der Enz. The lower Enz valley forms part of the Neckar basin and, compared with other parts of south-west Germany, has high average temperatures and relatively low rainfall.
Relief and soils
At Mühlhausen, the Enz has cut about 70 metres into the Upper Muschelkalk and forms a 180-degree bend. The vineyard landscape comprises a slope divided by around 20 terraces. In the Enz valley, Upper Muschelkalk predominates; the steep slopes of the Halde have west to south-east aspects and inclines of about 10 to 70 per cent.
Winegrowing and history
Steep-slope viticulture is documented along the Enz hillsides, including in the Mühlhausen district. Winegrowing has shaped the lower Enz valley for about 800 to 900 years. For the Eichelberg location associated with Mühlacker, it has been documented since 1362; the historical terraces of the Halde date from the period between the late 12th century and the beginning of the 14th century and were included in a monument register in 1978.
Grape varieties and cultivation
At the Eichelberg, on a cultivated area of about 25 acres, Spätburgunder, Lemberger, Kerner and Riesling are planted. The Halde is mainly planted with Lemberger and Trollinger in its associated steep slopes. At the Eichelberg, plant protection products are used only when necessary, glyphosate is avoided and the soils are cultivated mechanically. In Mühlhausen, the disruption of vine moths with pheromones is also documented. The town of Mühlacker supports the restoration of dry-stone walls in the Enz valley, its side valleys and in the vineyards of Lienzingen.
