Weingarten (Baden)

Weingarten (Baden) lies on the southern tip of the Kraichgau wine region near Karlsruhe. The vineyards stretch along the south-facing slopes of the settlement, at the transition from the Rhine plain to the Kraichgau hill country. Productive shell limestone soils are characteristic.

Historical parcels on the Petersberg were partly steep and small. As a result of land consolidation, larger, better mechanisable areas were created on the Katzenberg.

Viticulture has been documented in Weingarten for centuries. The local history also links the settlement with wine levies as a long-standing economic obligation. According to a municipal account, monks from Weißenburg identified the Petersberg as a suitable site in the 10th century and planted vines there.

The Weingarten winegrowers’ cooperative was founded in 1935 and has operated since 2015 as the Weinmanufaktur Weingarten.

Documented varieties include Riesling, Auxerrois, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder and Schwarzriesling. Spätburgunder accounts for the largest share of the vineyard area; overall, around 60 percent is white and 40 percent red grape varieties.

The wines are described as finely structured. Fresh wines with balanced acidity and delicate fruit aromas are characteristic, along with a fine, lightly dry style between dry and off-dry. Riesling and Burgunder varieties are among the important regional wine styles.

Viticulture combines machine work on larger areas with still necessary hand work. In a documented Auxerrois selection, the harvest is done by hand; rotten berries are removed and yields are limited to at most 80 kilograms per are. The period after flowering is considered crucial for protection against both true and false mildew.

The grapes from local producers are pressed in the Weingarten facilities and vinified. Bottling takes place at the Erste Markgräfler operations in Schliengen. A locally documented Spätburgunder matured in wooden casks.