Location in the Maintal
Zellingen lies on both sides of the Main in the Middle Maintal, downstream of Würzburg, and forms part of the Franconian wine-growing region. The municipality is situated in the Maintal with adjoining side valleys; the town is given as around 162 metres above sea level. Franconia therefore shapes the municipality’s geographical and viticultural setting.
Natural conditions
The Middle Maintal around Zellingen has a sheltered valley position, which is described as particularly suitable for viticulture. At the transition from the Middle to the Upper Muschelkalk, in parts of the municipal area there are extensive aeolian sands from the Pleistocene. Vineyards near Zellingen are located, among other places, on Franconian soils with Muschelkalk.
Viticulture in Zellingen
The Sonnleite is listed in the Bavarian vineyard directory as a wine-growing site linked to Zellingen in the Mittelmain wine-growing region. The name Sonnleite-Zellingen may be used if at least 85 percent of the grapes come from the designated area and the wine meets the applicable requirements for Qualitätswein.
A documented vintage from 2021 from the Sonnleite was produced from Silvaner. The wine was described as aromatic, juicy and clear, with fresh acidity, and classified as a German Qualitätswein from Franconia. For its production, short maceration time, gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation and reductive ageing in stainless steel are documented.
