Location and History
Steinbach is a district of the municipality of Ebelsbach in the Haßberge district in Bavaria. The place is located in the Abt-Degen-Weintal on the Haßbergtrauf, overlooking its vineyards across the Main Valley. Steinbach was first mentioned in records in 1251. The origin of the settlement is associated with the Franconian settlement of the Main Valley in the 7th or 8th century.
Vinegrowing at the Nonnenberg
The winegrowing area includes converted vineyard parcels as well as historically preserved terraces. The Steinbacher Nonnenberg is listed as a Franconian vineyard site and comprises steep terraces with narrow vineyard paths. Historical dry stone walls made of Keuper sandstone are arranged in a herringbone pattern. Because of the steep terrain and the tight planting structure, some parcels are farmed by hand.
Grape Varieties and Old Mixed Planting
For the vineyard area of Steinbach, around 12 hectares are given. Cultivated varieties include Müller-Thurgau, Grüner Silvaner, Bacchus, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Portugieser, Zweigelt, Regent, Kerner, Dornfelder, Rieslaner, Schwarzriesling and Ortega. A documented old mixed planting at the Nonnenberg contains red and white vines, which are said to be about a hundred years old. The wine produced from this is made dry, with a residual sugar target of at most 4 grams per litre.
Historical References
The names of Steinbach’s vineyard sites Nonnenberg, Pfaffenberg and Abtsleite are connected with the town’s earlier ecclesiastical links. Steinbach belongs to the wine region Franken.
