Location and Classification
The Abtsberg near Offenburg corresponds to the Zell-Weierbacher Abtsberg vineyard in the Zell-Weierbach district. It lies in the growing region Baden and has been classified by the VDP as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®. The classified area comprises 107 hectares.
Topography and Soils
The site, facing west to south-west, is located at an altitude of 200 to 300 metres and has a slope of 10 to 50 per cent. The key geological materials mentioned are granite and loess.
History and Vine Stock
References to the Abtsberg have been documented since 1242, when the winegrowers paid tithes to the Gengenbach monastery. For the VDP Abtsberg, Grauburgunder is specified as the classified grape variety. In connection with the site, Spätburgunder, Regent, Cabernet Dorsa, Weißburgunder, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Scheurebe, Muscateller, Sauvignon Blanc, Räuschling and Viognier are also grown.
Sub-plot and Vinification
A south-facing plot of 0.5 hectares in the south-west lies at around 190 metres altitude and has vines over 40 years old. The sheltered, gently sloping terrain is associated with early budding and early ripening of the grapes. The soil consists of fertile loess loam with shell limestone, as well as of the granite weathering soil typical of the surrounding area. An Abtsberg Grauburgunder from the 2021 vintage was hand-harvested, de-stemmed and pressed directly; part fermented spontaneously in wood, another in stainless steel, and then matured on fine lees until July 2022.
