First

The vineyard First in Wertheim corresponds to the Reicholzheimer First in the Reicholzheim district. It lies in the Tauber valley near Kloster Bronnbach and belongs to the Baden winegrowing region, as well as to the Tauber Franconia wine region. As a VDP.ERSTE LAGE® it is assigned to the winegrowing region Baden.

The south to south-south-west facing orientation extends, depending on the area, from about 260 to 270 metres up to 300 to 330 metres above sea level. The slope gradient is roughly 15 to 30 per cent. During the growing season, the site receives around 1,370 hours of sunshine. In the rain shadow of the Odenwald, dry summers can occur; the vines therefore need deep roots to reach water in cracks and fissures. Harsh winters and late frosts can also shape the site.

The predominant soils are Lower Muschelkalk with a high proportion of stones and Wellenkalk. In the western lower slope area, Buntsandstein and crumbly loam are also found. The classified grape varieties include Spätburgunder, Weißer Burgunder, Schwarzriesling, Silvaner and Riesling. The wines from this site are described as mineral-rich, powerfully structured, and suitable for ageing.

The name is documented in a document from 1476 as “Fyerst”. Historically, the vineyard was cultivated by Cistercian monks from the area around Kloster Bronnbach. A strip of forest on the ridge protects against cold easterly winds and improves the local vineyard climate. The parcels farmed by Weingut Ehrlenbach have been cultivated since August 2022 according to the EU organic regulation. There, wines from the Reicholzheimer First are fermented spontaneously; First Spätburgunder and Schwarzriesling ripen for at least 16 months in small wooden casks and are bottled unfiltered and with a low addition of sulphur.