Location
Dormenacker is a designated winegrowing site in Heidelberg, in the winegrowing region Baden and in the Badische Bergstraße area.
Relief and soils
The winegrowing site is linked to a steeply rising outcrop of Buntsandstein, which was later covered by windblown loess. In large areas, the Buntsandstein lies beneath a loess layer up to 20 metres thick.
Climate and cultivation
Dormenacker lies in the mild climate of the Badische Bergstraße, with mild winters, sufficient sunshine and a favourable distribution of rainfall. According to the winery, 90 percent of its vines grow in the single vineyard Heidelberger Dormenacker, which is exclusively owned by the Clauer family.
A report from the City of Heidelberg from the year 2000 documented a ground cover between the vines to reduce soil compaction by machines and to limit erosion and excessive drying out. According to this, around 60 percent of the harvest was read mechanically, while the grapes intended for higher-quality wines were harvested by hand.
Maturation and wine style
According to the 2000 report, most of the harvest was processed in the estate’s own cellar, in stainless-steel tanks and partly in barrique casks. Wines from Dormenacker are marketed under the geographical name of the winegrowing site.
