Location and Climate
The Centgrafenberg is located in Bürgstadt in the wine-growing region Franconia. The vineyard site lies on the south side of a basin that was formed at a south-western bend of the Main in the Miltenberg basin. The Odenwald and Spessart protect the site and promote a warm local microclimate. The west-facing areas are somewhat cooler than the other sectors.
Terrain and Rock
The Centgrafenberg is predominantly south-facing, lies at an altitude of around 160 to 250 metres, and has slope gradients of roughly 10 to 40 per cent. The subsoil consists of red Bunter sandstone, the oldest rock unit of the Triassic, with areas that are weathered to varying degrees. The iron-rich Bunter sandstone is characterised by its red colour.
Grape Varieties and Soil
The grape varieties listed as classified by the VDP are Spätburgunder and Riesling. The iron-rich red Bunter sandstone is considered particularly favourable for Spätburgunder, while the cooler western sectors are suitable for Riesling. A winery cultivates 3.85 hectares in the site and uses more loamy parts for white varieties and more stony, less loamy areas for red grape varieties.
History and Classification
For Churfranken, the cultivation of red wine has been documented for centuries. The historic wine-growing culture of Bürgstadt is associated with cellars dating from after 1500. After the amendments to the Wine Law of 1971, several previously separate local vineyard names were combined under Centgrafenberg; Hundsrück was entered again in 2012 as a separate site. The VDP lists the Centgrafenberg as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 28 hectares.
Cultivation
For its vineyards, including the 3.85 hectares in the Centgrafenberg, the winery Josef Walter documents the renunciation of mineral nitrogen fertiliser and herbicides, a permanent sward in at least every second vine row, the use of farmyard manure and compost, and controlled plant protection.
