Location and classification
The Kaatschener Dachsberg is a vineyard site classified as a single-vineyard location in the Saale-Unstrut winegrowing region Saale-Unstrut. It is located in the Kaatschen district of Großheringen in Thuringia on the eastern slope of the Saale valley. The vineyard register states that, as of 31 December 2024, the planted vineyard area is 14.6927 hectares. In connection with the Saale valley, the site is regarded as climatically favoured.
Terraces and soils
The Dachsberg historically comprises terraced vineyard slopes with a south-facing to south-westerly exposure and a slope gradient of around 20 to 45 percent. The documented soils include weathered Muschelkalk as well as loess clay, clay and loam. Retained dry-stone walls, steps and other historical vineyard structures characterise the area; on site, there is also a wine education trail and a vineyard house.
Cultivation and grape varieties
Winzerhof Gussek has restored and maintained terraces on the Kaatschener Dachsberg since 1990. Carl-Friedrich L. Walther has farmed there since the winery was founded in 2017, practising controlled organic viticulture and carrying out the work in the vineyard by hand. Documented here are Silvaner, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Spätburgunder, Traminer, Kerner, Blauer Zweigelt and further varieties of Pinot. A Silvaner vineyard site was planted in 1927; the Riesling vines of Winzerhof Gussek are more than 60 years old.
Wines and maturation
From the Kaatschener Dachsberg, dry Silvaner, dry Traminer, Spätburgunder, Zweigelt and Muscaris ice wine are documented. Winzerhof Gussek lists the maturation of white wines in barrique as a speciality for wines from its vineyards. For the 2011 vintage, Riesling grapes from the Thuringian winery Zahn were left on the vine until suitable frost conditions and were then harvested and made into ice wine.
