Location and landscape
Zaisenhausen is located in the Kraichgau, on the north-eastern edge of the Karlsruhe district in Baden-Württemberg. The 1,011-hectare cadastral area is shaped by gently formed hills covered with loess and loess loam, which are divided by the Kohlbachtal valley and smaller side valleys. Elevations range from 167 metres at the Kohlbach near Oberderdingen-Flehingen to 251 metres on the Zaiselberg in the north-west.
Climate and geology
The Kraichgau belongs to the mild climate region, with a mean annual temperature of over 9 °C. In weather situations with local cold air, this flows from the agricultural areas located to the west along the Mörsbachtal valley to the east and contributes to ventilating the settlement. Geologically, loess and loess loam dominate over the subsoil, which is shaped by Keuper formations.
History and development
Zaisenhausen is documented as an old Franconian row village. Within the cadastral area, there are indications of continuous settlement dating back to the Neolithic period, as well as of a Roman villa rustica. Since the 1960s, the municipality has changed from a traditional Kraichgau farmers’ village into a community oriented towards industry and commerce.
Wine-growing setting
The vineyard Lerchenberg is documented as a single-vineyard within the Großlage Stiftsberg. The Sulzfelder Lerchenberg lies on the south-facing slopes of the Kraichgau, is oriented to the south to south-east, and is situated at an altitude of 190 to 260 metres on slope gradients of 15 to 30 per cent. The classified area comprises 46 hectares; the grape variety Lemberger is specified. The wine-growing region Baden is assigned to EU wine zone B.
