Location and classification
“Berg” is recorded as a designation for single vineyards both in Asperg and in Markgröningen in the wine-growing region of Württemberg. The Asperg portion is locally referred to as “Asperger Berg” on the Hohenasperg.
Asperger Berg
The vineyards on the Hohenasperg lie on the terraced south slope of the distinctive hill that rises isolated above the surrounding landscape. The Hohenasperg rises around 90 metres above its surroundings; the summit lies at about 356 metres above sea level. Geologically, it is a Keuper formation hill with exposed layers of claystone, carbonate rocks, sandstone as well as anhydrite- and gypsum-bearing formations. The reed sandstone layer contributed to the preservation of the hill.
Markgröningen and winegrowing
A mild climate is documented for the landscape around Markgröningen, with an average annual temperature of about 9 °C and a mean annual precipitation of about 650 millimetres. Vineyard areas are located there on steep valley slopes in the vicinity of the Glems and Leudelsbach valleys. Upper Muschelkalk is exposed at the surface, while shallow, dry soils have meant that some slopes are restricted to terrace viticulture or grazing.
History and cultivation
On the Hohenasperg, viticulture has been documented for at least since 1652; the town of Asperg traces it there back to the ninth century. The southern vineyards are terraced. Since the end of 2009, a reorganisation of the rows of vines on the south slope has been documented; in addition, parts of the vineyard walls have been maintained since 2009 in cooperation with the authorities, owners and tenants. For the Asperger Berg, Riesling and Trollinger are listed as the grape varieties for an area of around 2.5 hectares under cultivation.
