Site and layout
The Closterweinberg, also known as the Klosterweinberg Maulbronn, lies immediately to the north and north-west of the Kloster Maulbronn. It stretches for around 600 metres along the south-facing slope of the Klosterberg and in doing so overcomes roughly 40 metres of elevation. The steep site is divided up by narrow, slanting terraces, bordered by sandstone walls and stairways.
Soil and cultivation
The vineyard lies on a south-western spur of the Stromberg Keuper formation. The warm reed sandstone weathering soil is accompanied by terrace walls made of reddish Buntsandstein and yellow-green Keuper sandstone. The microclimate is considered very mild.
The Closterweinberg covers around 3.5 hectares, of which roughly 1.2 hectares are planted with vines. Because of the steep terraces, nearly all work is carried out by hand. The harvest is also carried out exclusively manually and using carrying bins. The overgrown site was cleared of brambles and blackthorn in the 1990s and replanted in 1999.
Grape varieties and wines
In the Closterweinberg grow Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Riesling, Lemberger, Spätburgunder and Regent. Spätburgunder and Regent were added, according to official documentation, from 2017 onwards. Dry Closterweinberg wines made from Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Riesling and Lemberger Rosé are documented. Lemberger is produced as a dry red wine from wooden casks, while Spätburgunder and Regent show a light character of wood. A Grauburgunder from the 2024 vintage from the Maulbronner Closterweinberg is designated as a German Qualitätswein.
Historical development
The vineyard was probably created during the founding phase of Kloster Maulbronn around 1147; the maintenance of the vines was carried out by lay brothers. A papal document from 1177 mentions vineyards owned by the monastery for the first time. The Closterweinberg itself was originally monastic property, exempt from dues, and after the Reformation it was leased out or granted as a hereditary fief. It is listed in the 1575 inventory book of Kloster Maulbronn.
During the Thirty Years’ War, wine-growing came to a standstill. After the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century and due to the difficult cultivation, after the 1920s several parcels were left uncultivated. Below the vineyard there was a press house in which the grapes were pressed after harvest; in the 16th century it had two wooden press trees.
