Location and designations
The wine-growing area of Altenberg lies between the districts of Lauda and Oberlauda of Lauda-Königshofen in Baden. Legally, a distinction is made between the individual vineyards of Laudaer Altenberg and Oberlaudaer Altenberg. The designation Altenberg without any addition therefore does not clearly refer to either of the two vineyards.
Soil and orientation
Altenberg is situated on Middle and Lower Muschelkalk. The weathered Muschelkalk soils are stony, warm up quickly and store only a small amount of water. The area of Oberlaudaer Altenberg is oriented to the south-west and is considered the sunnier side of Altenberg.
Landscape and microclimate
In Laudaer Altenberg, vineyards, hedges, meadows, fruit trees, stone rows and dry-stone walls shape the landscape. This diverse structure influences the microclimate of the vineyard plots. A land consolidation project for winegrowing was prevented there in the 1970s.
Vine stock Lauda
Laudaer Altenberg includes the contiguous area under viticulture of the former state-owned winery and research estate of Lauda. The Rebgut Lauda was founded in 1930 as an outstation of the State Teaching and Research Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture in Weinsberg, in order to revive winegrowing in the Tauber valley. The remaining vineyard plots are farmed on behalf of the state by the winegrowing business Karlheinz Sack.
