Location and climate
The vineyards of Radebeul lie on the southern slopes of the Elbe valley, north of the 51st parallel. The south-facing sites provide a sun angle suitable for viticulture and, in particular during sunny autumn periods, support the ripening of the grapes. Continuous air circulation dries and cools the grapes.
Wine landscape
The historic wine landscape is characterised by steep slopes, terraces, dry stone walls and traditional stairways. Goldener Wagen, Wackerbarthberg and Paradies are documented as important steep-slope sites. In the Goldener Wagen area there are managed stone terraces with dry stone walls. The vineyards are tended by hand on the steep slopes.
Grape varieties and winemaking
In Radebeul, among others, Riesling, Scheurebe, Weißburgunder, Traminer, Goldriesling, Grauburgunder, Kerner, Dornfelder and Spätburgunder are grown. On the vineyard of Karl Friedrich Aust, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Spätburgunder and Traminer are reserved for the steep-slope sites. Schloss Wackerbarth cultivates 19 grape varieties and produces still wines as well as classically bottle-fermented sparkling wines.
History and wine law
For the area of today’s Radebeul village, viticulture has been documented as far back as 1528. Since 27 July 2001, the historic wine landscape has been under a municipal conservation statute. Radebeul belongs to the quality winegrowing region Sachsen. Under German wine law, the term “Steillage” requires a slope gradient of at least 30 per cent.
