Location and Name
First is a vineyard site in Eußenheim in the winegrowing region Franken. The slopes, which face south to south-southeast, have gradients of around 25 to 45 per cent. The name refers to the summit or ridge of a hill.
Soil
The parent material is Lower Muschelkalk, locally mixed with a thick layer of loess clay. The soils are described as water-retentive and rich in minerals.
Vines and Wines
At First, Kerner, Frühburgunder, Spätburgunder, Bacchus, Müller-Thurgau and Silvaner are grown. In addition, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Domina are documented in wines from the site. These include dry white wines, semi-dry Kerner and semi-dry Bacchus, as well as dry red wines made from Burgundian varieties and Domina.
History and Cultivation
Winegrowing on the south-facing slopes declined up to the start of the 20th century due to pressure from pests. As part of land consolidation, the vineyards in First were replanted in 1971. The steep slopes are used by several local wine producers; one local winery documents for its wines from First a nature-oriented approach to cultivation without herbicides and insecticides, with a focus on biodiversity.
