Site and geology
Andreasberg is a monopoly site located directly above the Schloss Ortenberg winery on the Black Forest slopes near Ortenberg in Baden. The vineyards lie at around 200 to 300 metres above sea level and are predominantly oriented to the south-west. The local climate is shaped by the south-western location, the adjacent Black Forest and the warmer Rhine Valley.
Soil and cultivation
The vines grow on weathered granite as well as on soils formed from the weathering of crystalline rocks. Andreasberg is in the sole ownership of the Schloss Ortenberg winery and has been farmed there since the 15th century. The estate states that it cultivates its vineyards organically and that it selectively hand-harvests the grapes for its wines.
History and classification
The vineyard site was donated in 1407 to the St.-Andreas Foundation. The winery describes this event as the basis for its later history as an estate. Ortenberger Andreasberg is classified by the winery as a St.-Andreas site wine in the category “First Growth”.
Wines and maturation
Documented Andreasberg wines are made from Riesling, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder and Spätburgunder and are matured dry. The winery describes them as fresh and mineral; the granite-weathering soils contribute to a pronounced mineral character. For maturation, wooden vessels are used, including a 500-litre wooden cask for Riesling, a 1,200-litre wooden cask for Weißburgunder and maturation in wooden casks for Grauburgunder. A Weißburgunder from the Andreasberg parcel In der Steingrube ripens in new oak wood tonneaux.
