Location and History
Schmachtenberg is a district of the town of Zeil am Main in the Haßberge district in Bavaria. The place is situated on the right bank of the Main River, southeast of the centre of Zeil in the Main valley, and belongs to the region Franconia. Schmachtenberg was first mentioned in 1348 in a document and was incorporated into Zeil am Main on 1 January 1972.
Vine Growing and Landscape
The vineyard site Eulengrund is located in Schmachtenberg and forms part of the Abt Degen Weintal area as well as the Großlage Kapellenberg (Zeil). It is listed in the Bavarian vineyard register as a designation of vineyard site with reference to Zeil am Main in the Haßberge district. Vineyard names that are used as geographical origin designations for quality wines and Prädikat wines must be recorded in this official register.
The old vineyard areas around Schmachtenberg include calcareous dry grasslands and are situated on steep, heat-favourable slopes of the Main valley. Terraces, dry-stone walls, steps and stone embankments shape the historical vineyard structures; extensively managed and abandoned vineyards are identified as important habitat structures.
Architectural Evidence
Above the settlement are the ruins of Schmachtenberg Castle, overlooking the Main valley. A historic building in Schmachtenberg was connected with the administration of bishop’s fields, meadows and vineyards. Its large cellar was used for storing the wine from the bishop’s vineyard holdings.
