Location and landscape
Zeil am Main lies between Schweinfurt and Bamberg in the Franconian Abt-Degen-Weintal. The town is surrounded by Main river meadows, wooded valleys and vineyard landscapes. The vineyards belonging to Zeil am Main are located on the southern slopes of the Haßberge.
Viticulture with a long tradition
Viticulture in Zeil am Main is documented as a long-standing agricultural tradition. The town’s history records that wine-growing was among the activities that helped to supply the population. Zeil am Main was first mentioned in a document in 1018 and received town rights in 1379. Alberich Degen, born in Zeil, is associated in the town’s history with the introduction of the grape variety Silvaner in Franconia.
Zeil vineyard sites
The Zeiler Mönchshang covers 2.87 hectares and has Keuper soils. For cultivation, among other varieties, Müller-Thurgau, Rieslaner, Riesling, Kerner, Silvaner, Bacchus, Domina and Blauer Portugieser are documented. The Zeiler Pfarrerspflöckn is a steep-slope parcel on a south-facing slope with Lettenkeuper and sandstone soils, covering 0.95 hectares. The site is farmed using historical dry-stone walls.
Grape varieties and wine styles
The Ziegelangerer Ölschnabel has south and south-west exposures, steep slopes, Keuper soils and an area of 14 hectares. For the site, among other varieties, Bacchus, Silvaner, Kerner, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Weissburgunder, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Domina and Schwarzriesling as well as mixed plantings are documented. From the Pfarrerspflöckn, white wines, Rotling and red wines are produced, including wines from Silvaner, Scheurebe, Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder and Blauer Portugieser.
