Site and relief
The Eichelberg vineyard comprises vineyard plots in the former municipal districts of Ölbronn and Dürrn in the municipality of Ölbronn-Dürrn in Württemberg. The Eichelberg, which is linked with Mühlacker, lies on the south-facing slope of the Eichelbergrücken. It forms the western part of the southern Stromberg fringe and reaches about 354 metres above sea level.
Geological subsoil
The Eichelberg near Ölbronn-Dürrn is an outcrop hill oriented to the west and south-west. Its subsoil consists of Keuper marl (Lettenkeuper) and gypsum marl (Gipskeuper), which are locally overlain by loess and loess loam. The more resistant upper layer forms reed sandstone (Schilfsandstein). On the vineyard slope assigned to Mühlacker, coloured Keuper claystone (Keupertonsteine) can be found beneath the vines; further up on the wooded slope, lighter Stubensandstone (heller Stubensandstein) occurs.
Viticulture and management
A documented winegrowing operation in the Eichelberg parcel (Gewann Eichelberg) manages around 25 ares of vineyard land with Spätburgunder, Lemberger, Kerner and Riesling. The operation states that it uses crop-protection agents only to the extent necessary, does without glyphosate and mechanically works the soil.
History and cellars
Winegrowing on the Eichelberg, assigned to Mühlacker, is already documented for the year 1362. A document mentions there the wine tithe, part of a wine press (Kelter) and two Morgen of vineyard. The vineyard developed over several decades; the oldest small vineyard houses (Weinberghäuschen) are about a hundred years old. A local producer stores its wines in an old sandstone vault cellar.
