Location and landscape
The Apostelgarten is a vineyard site in Michelbach, a district of Alzenau in the Franken winegrowing region. The south-facing site lies at around 200 to 280 metres above sea level and has a slope gradient of roughly 40 to 50 percent. To the north and east it borders on woodland; to the west it opens out towards the Main plain and the Taunus.
Soils and microclimate
The soils consist of weathered primary rock with mica schist, gneiss and quartzite. The mica schist gives parts of the soil a silvery to bronze appearance. Dry stone walls, elongated stone embankments and terraces that are partly shaded shape the site’s climate and support the growth and ripening of late-ripening grape varieties. The site is not land-consolidated.
Grape varieties and wine style
For the site classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®, Riesling, Silvaner, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder are listed. Riesling is the dominant grape variety; until the 1950s only Riesling was grown there. Rieslings from the Apostelgarten are described as powerful, piquant-fruity and mineral.
Protection and classification
The Apostelgarten has been under monument protection since 1985. The area classified in the VDP sites profile comprises 10.61 hectares.
