Location and origins
The vineyard known as Altenberg is documented locally as Laufener Altenberg. It lies on the edge of the Black Forest between Sulzburg-Laufen and Britzingen, a district of Müllheim; mapped vineyard plots are also located in Ballrechten-Dottingen. The site belongs to the Baden wine-growing region, more specifically the Markgräflerland.
Topography and soils
The Altenberg comprises slopes facing west and south-west with vineyard areas up to about 360 metres above sea level. Documented are deep calcareous marl soils as well as Jurassic limestone, marl and calcareous soils. Cooler night-time downdraught winds from the Black Forest are associated with preserved freshness and a lively acidity.
Grape varieties and wine style
For the Laufener Altenberg, Gutedel, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder are documented. Other documented grape varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Souvignier Gris, which is particularly associated with the steep parcel Vogelsang. The wines are described as aromatic and full of flavour intensity, with well-integrated or lively acidity; a Sauvignon Blanc from the site is aromatic, complex and mineral.
Farming and vinification
Some of the documented parcels are farmed organically; the Laufen parcels of Zähringer winery have been farmed organically since the 1970s. The Laufener Altenberg serves as a designation of origin for wines from Baden and the Markgräflerland and is led by Private Estate Schlumberger-Bernhart as VDP.ERSTE LAGE. For a Sauvignon Blanc, spontaneous fermentation in some cases, a year in small wooden barrels, twelve months on the lees and unfiltered bottling are documented. A Souvignier Gris was fermented one third in mash and pressed two thirds as whole-cluster.
