Location and character
The estate is documented as Esslinger Burg in Esslingen am Neckar in Württemberg. The steep vineyard site, which faces south, lies between sections of the medieval fortifications. It is considered particularly wind-protected and exposed to plenty of sunshine; the site-specific microclimate is associated with a high degree of ripeness of the grapes.
History and size
A document dated 29 November 1314 records the sale of 5.5 Morgen of vineyard area on the Schönenberg within the Burg area by the city of Esslingen to the Kaisheim monastery. The single-site vineyard comprises 1.6 hectares and is among the smallest wine-growing sites in Württemberg.
Grape varieties and wines
Under the name Esslinger Burg, wines made from Riesling, Grauburgunder, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are documented. The dry Riesling is described as mineral and with crisp acidity, the dry Grauburgunder as full-bodied and aged in wood. Dry red wines are described as being driven by tannins or aged in barrique. Riesling, Syrah and Dicker Turm are marketed as German Qualitätswein and dry.
Cultivation and ageing
For Esslinger-Burg-Riesling, thinning the shoots and targeted leaf pruning are part of cultivation in order to reduce yields and increase the amount of sunlight reaching the grapes. Ageing includes several hours of chilled time on the skins, gentle pressing and slow fermentation at 16 to 18 °C. The red wine Dicker Turm is fermented on the skins for 14 days, aged for several months in oak and bottled unfiltered.
