Location and Landscape
The Eich vineyard lies in Rothenburg ob der Tauber above the River Tauber and forms part of the wine-growing region Franconia. It stretches along steep slopes above the Tauber valley and is connected to the shell limestone slopes of the Upper Tauber. The surrounding area is also shaped by heavy soils from the Triassic period.
Cultivation
The Thürauf family from the Weingut and Hotel Glocke looks after the vineyard site An der Eich. The vineyard was replanted in 1990, terraced across and sown with grass to reduce erosion on the steep slopes. Following the documented cultivation, pesticides are avoided and beneficial insects are used.
Grape Varieties and Teaching Collection
Among other varieties, Regent and Johanniter grow in Eich. The Regent planting dates from 1999; the Johanniter is located below the show garden. The vineyard also includes a teaching collection of historical and other grape varieties.
Wine-Growing History and Winemaking
Eich is part of the preserved wine-growing landscape of Rothenburg and is used to illustrate medieval viticulture as well as the former extent of wine growing in the Tauber region. A Regent wine from the vineyard was matured in a wooden cask. The operating winery ripens its wines in deep cellars, relies on longer ageing periods rather than modern cellar technology, and reports about careful, comparatively later harvesting with moderate yields from deliberately small-kept clusters.
