Location and landscape
Rauenberg lies in the north-western Kraichgau at the transition to the Rhine valley. The municipal area extends from 120 to 249 metres above sea level; the Galgenberg in Malschenberg forms the highest point at 249 metres. The landscape shows a sequence of Keuper rock and tertiary deposits, complemented by wind-shifted loess sediments.
Winegrowing in the Kraichgau
Rauenberg belongs to the winegrowing region Baden and, within that, to the Kraichgau winegrowing district. According to information provided by the local winemakers’ association, the vineyard areas comprise about 135 hectares. Among the well-known vineyard sites are the Rauenberger Mannaberg and the Rotenberger Schlossberg. The Rauenberger Burggraf is documented as a designation for vineyard sites; the Ölbaum is also farmed by a Rauenberg wine producer.
Grape varieties and styles of wine
The sunny, warm climate is considered favourable for winegrowing. In the Rauenberg district, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Müller-Thurgau and Blauer Spätburgunder, among others, grow. White grape varieties predominate, while red wine production has increased in recent years. The local association describes Riesling as having pronounced acidity, Grauburgunder in dry and fruity styles, Weißburgunder as fruity and elegant, and Spätburgunder with must fermentation and varying levels of tannins. As part of Baden, Rauenberg is in the EU wine-growing zone B, which is associated with higher minimum requirements for quality and potential wines.
Development and winemaking
The extensive land consolidation and new planting of the vineyards began in 1950 and, according to information from the town, was provisionally completed in 1957. In the Ölbaum and Burggraf vineyard sites, individual canopy work, selection and hand-harvesting are documented; some vines are up to 50 years old. White wines are fermented under control in stainless-steel tanks, while red wines mature for twelve months in small oak barrels.
