Location and natural conditions
Würzburg lies on both sides of the Main in the central Main valley at an altitude of about 177 metres and covers 87.63 square kilometres. The city belongs to the wine region Franconia, whose continental climate is characterised by warm, dry summers and cold winters. At the Würzburg Stein, low rainfall, protection from cold north winds and the Main as a heat reservoir create special site conditions.
Vineyard sites on the Main and on the slopes
The Würzburg Stein runs north of the historic city centre along the Main in a shell-scarp shape. With around 85 hectares, it is the largest contiguous single vineyard site in Germany. The Würzburg Schloßberg lies below the Marienberg fortress, while the Innere Leiste occupies the southern slope below the fortress. The Abtsleite runs below the Keesburg district on the south-west slope of the Neuberg.
The Würzburg area belongs to the Franconian Keuper steppe landscape with Triassic rocks. Muschelkalk and Keuper are the most important geological formations in the city and its surrounding area; the Würzburg Stein is based on Middle Muschelkalk. The Stein-Harfe is located in the middle part of the Würzburg Stein, is about 300 metres wide and is entirely owned by the Bürgerspital foundation.
Grape varieties and protected designation of origin
At the Würzburg Stein, vines are grown mainly by Bürgerspital, Juliusspital and the State Court Cellar. Important varieties under the mild conditions of the Main valley are Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus. For the protected designation of origin Würzburg Stein-Berg, only Silvaner, Riesling and White Pinot (Weißer Burgunder) are permitted. It applies to registered parcels within the vineyard in the Würzburg city area and allows a maximum yield of 50 hectolitres per hectare.
Wine style and history
The wines of the protected designation are dry white wines with depth and body, elegance, harmonious acidity, alcohol that is well integrated, Muschelkalk mineral character and variety-typical fruit. A documented vintage of Stein wine dates from 1540. For the Würzburg Stein, a first Silvaner associated with it from 1665 and a historical Bocksbeutel filling from 1726 have also been handed down.
