Location and landscape
The exact vineyard site is designated as Ergersheimer Altenberg. It lies in the area of Ergersheim and is listed in connection with the wine-growing region between Ergersheim and Wiebelsheim. The site belongs to the wine-growing landscape of the Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim district in Franken.
The vineyard plots are located on the slopes of the Ergersheim hills, which face south and south-west. The landscape is shaped by weathered Keuper sandstone (Buntsandstein), shell limestone (Muschelkalk) and Keuper, which are partly covered with loess. For the Altenberg, gypsum Keuper soils are described in particular.
Vineyard area and grape varieties
The documented area of the Ergersheimer Altenberg covers about 12 hectares. Planted here, among other varieties, are Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Silvaner and Blauer Silvaner. On the Ergersheim vineyard slopes, Dornfelder, Spätburgunder and Domina are also recorded.
The wines of the Altenberg are described as being shaped by the gypsum Keuper soils.
History and classification
Ergersheim has been linked to winegrowing and vineyards since 23 December 1265 through a document. The Altenberg is regarded as a historical vineyard site in connection with the former Altenburg. This was sold to the Johanniter in Rothenburg in 1291 and destroyed by the people of Windsheim in 1381.
The Ergersheimer Altenberg is designated as a single site (Einzellage) and is assigned to the Großlage Frankenberger Schlossstück.
Cultivation
For grapes from the Ergersheimer Altenberg, the Hofmann winery documents a hand harvest. The winery vinifies its own wines made from the grapes grown there and is run as a Bioland operation.
