Location and Orientation
Bienenberg is a classified vineyard site in Malterdingen in the wine-growing region Baden. The site rises up from the Upper Rhine plain, is oriented to the south to south-west, and lies at an altitude of around 200 to 280 metres. The slope gradient is 20 to 40 per cent; parts of the vineyard are terraced, steep and partly rocky.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The soils consist of weathered shell limestone and loess. Iron deposits can give them a yellowish tint in places. The rocky subsoil leads, in parts of Bienenberg, to deep rooting of the vines. As classified grape varieties, the VDP profile names Chardonnay and Spätburgunder.
History and Classification
According to the VDP, Cistercian monks cultivated Spätburgunder on Bienenberg as early as the 14th century. This historical connection contributed to “Malterdinger” being used as a synonym for Pinot Noir. Bienenberg is classified by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®; this designation is a VDP classification and not a statutory German wine-growing classification.
