Location and Climate
Burg Wildeck is located near Abstatt in Württemberg, on a hill spur at the edge of the Löwensteiner Berge. The site marks the transition from fertile loess areas to the wooded heights of the Swabian-Franconian Forest. The vineyards are at around 330 to 370 metres above sea level, face south and have a slope inclination of roughly 15 to 40 percent. Compared with warmer sites, the climate is cooler; the growing season begins later and lasts longer.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The classified vineyard has Keuper marl soils with weathered, clay-silica sandstone material. The vineyard area farmed by the State Winery Weinsberg covers around twelve hectares. White grape varieties include Riesling, Kerner, Traminer, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay and Weißburgunder. For the red varieties, Samtrot, Spätburgunder and Acolon are mentioned; for the classified area, Sauvignon Blanc is also listed, along with Riesling, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder.
Wine Style and Maturation
The cooler conditions favour relatively high acidity and make possible fresh white and rosé wines, alongside lower yields. Red wines made from Samtrot and Spätburgunder are also documented. The Spätburgunder Burg Wildeck from the 2023 vintage was produced from hand-harvested, fully ripe grapes and matured for 18 months in barriques. The Grauburgunder Burg Wildeck Herrschaftsberg 2021 was created from fully ripe, hand-picked grapes, fermented spontaneously and aged for eight months on fine lees in barriques.
Classification and History
Burg Wildeck is classified in the Württemberg wine-growing region as VDP.ERSTE LAGE®; the classified area covers 5.46 hectares. The State Winery Weinsberg also uses the site for viticultural and grape-variety-related trials. Burg Wildeck is also documented as the place of origin of Dornfelder: In July 1955, Helfensteiner vines above the access road near the retaining wall were pollinated with pollen from the Herold variety.
