Site and Climate
Dachsbuckel is a designated single vineyard in the south of Heidelberg on the Badische Bergstraße, in the Heidelberg-Emmertsgrund area near the southern wine-growing districts of Heidelberg. The slope facing south-west is protected in the north and east by outlying sections of the Königstuhl. According to the operator, this aspect and protection contribute to a favourable local wine-growing climate.
Soil and History
The soils consist of weathered Bunter sandstone and are described as relatively low in nutrients, shaped strongly by weathered red sandstone. Heinrich Bauer planted the first vines in 1958. The first grape harvest took place in 1960 and was initially developed at the Heidelberg winery Mannsperger. Since 1976, according to the operator, the wines have been vinified in the Wiesloch winegrowing cooperative. The last areas were planted in 1978; since then, the vineyard comprises 7 hectares.
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
According to the operator, the range of grape varieties extends from Riesling to Spätburgunder and places an emphasis on Burgundian varieties. Among the grape varieties documented for the Dachsbuckel plots of the winery Bauer are Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Riesling, Auxerrois, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder and Regent. The documented range includes dry, medium-dry and sweet wines; a regional wine guide shows 88 per cent dry, 7 per cent medium-dry and 5 per cent sweet wines.
Cultivation
The vineyards have been permanently sown since 1967. The cover crop is intended to reduce erosion, promote soil life and contribute organic matter. As organic fertilisers, composted horse manure and crushed grape pomace are used in selected vineyards. Herbicides are avoided; the vegetation beneath the vines is worked with a brush mower about three to four times a year. Missing vines are replanted by hand, which is made more difficult by the numerous Bunter sandstone stones. During winter pruning, one cane or occasionally two, with about 8 to 12 buds, are left in order to regulate the later yield. In a renewal, around 40-year-old Müller-Thurgau vines were replaced with Spätburgunder; the new rows were planted mechanically and aligned using GPS.
