Location and classification
The Abtsfronhof is an urban wine-growing site in Bad Dürkheim. It lies between Salinenstraße and Mannheimer Straße, directly south of the Kurpark facilities. The single vineyard belongs to the winegrowing region Pfalz, Bereich Mittelhaardt/Deutsche Weinstraße, Großlage Schenkenböhl, and is listed in the official directory of wine-growing sites as Abtsfronhof with the wine site number 821401.
Soil and topography
The VDP describes an east-facing vineyard at around 120 metres above sea level with a slope gradient of five percent. The subsoil is said to be weathered Bunter sandstone. Further site descriptions mention calcareous, loamy sand with a low proportion of stones, as well as tertiary limestone in the subsoil. A specific microclimate is described for the urban and enclosed area.
History and cultivation
The site, which is more than 1,000 years old, previously belonged to the Benedictine monastery of Limburg and included a tithe cellar connected to the monastery. Through marriage, the Abtsfronhof passed in 1823 into the sole ownership of the Fitz family. Fitz-Ritter has been farming the vineyards referred to as a monopole site since 2009 according to the European standards of certified organic viticulture. The work is carried out mostly by hand, with selective picking and without synthetic fertilisers or herbicides.
Grape varieties and wines
As classified grape varieties, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer are listed; in addition, Sauvignon Blanc is associated with the Abtsfronhof. Documented wines include dry Riesling and Gewürztraminer Spätlese. The wines are described in particular as mature, juicy and aromatic. For a documented Gewürztraminer, there was a ten-hour maceration, a cooled fermentation entirely in stainless-steel tanks, and a fermentation stop to preserve the residual sweetness.
