Location and Landscape
Bergle refers to the Lehener Bergle in Freiburg-Lehen, in the Breisgau winegrowing region of the Baden region in Germany. The south-facing single vineyard lies at around 250 metres above sea level and has a slope gradient of 10 to 25 per cent. The Bergle, about 500 metres wide and 1.5 kilometres long, rises around 30 metres above the surrounding area.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The soils consist of Jurassic shell limestone and loess clay. In the geological layers, about 65 million years old, petrified ammonites have been found. The vineyard area covers nearly nine hectares. Planted varieties include Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Müller-Thurgau and Gewürztraminer; in Freiburg, Grauburgunder is also known as Ruländer.
Viticulture and History
Viticulture at the Lehener Bergle has been documented since the 13th century and reached a peak in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century it declined due to diseases and pests introduced from elsewhere; between 1900 and 1960 the vineyard area decreased significantly. In the 1970s, extensive replanting began.
A 2024 Weißburgunder made from grapes fully harvested from the Lehener Bergle is listed as a dry village wine with 12.5 per cent alcohol and 3.5 grams of residual sugar per litre. The wine was produced vegan and matured for eleven months in used oak barrels.
