Location and Classification
Altenberg is an officially recognised single vineyard in Bad Bergzabern in the Pfalz, in the area of Südliche Weinstraße and within the Großlage Kloster Liebfrauenberg. The vineyard site lies to the east of the town, at the transition from the Palatinate Forest (Pfälzerwald) and the Wasgau to the Rhine plain on slopes above Bad Bergzabern.
Topography, Climate and Soils
A documented plot of Altenberg describes a gently rising slope, open to the south and south-east. Forested areas provide protection; warm days, cool nights and the drainage of cold air towards the plain shape the conditions described. The soils include weathered red sandstone (Buntsandstein) with a sandy to sandy-stony topsoil, as well as local layers of loess and loess clay. For a further plot, loess and clay are documented over a calcareous subsoil with components of weathered sandstone and marl.
Grape Varieties and Wine Making
For Altenberg, a hand-harvested Pinot Blanc planting (Weißburgunder) is documented for the production of a dry vineyard wine. The corresponding plot is farmed biodynamically. The grapes are processed gently and fermented spontaneously in wooden casks.
Wine Style
The documented Altenberg Pinot Blanc is developed dry and described as having notes of yellow fruit, floral and herbal characteristics. Acidity and a structured mouthfeel complement the profile. In addition, Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), Chardonnay, as well as historical bottlings of Sylvaner and Riesling under the name Bergzaberner Altenberg are documented.
