Location and Geography
The Götzenberg is a vineyard site in the Stuttgart district of Uhlbach in Stuttgart. It lies in a small, enclosed side valley of the Neckar. The south-south-easterly facing vineyards extend from about 300 to 360 metres above sea level and have a slope gradient of approximately 45 percent.
Climate and Soil
The sheltered, convex site is shielded from northern and eastern winds. Warm thermals on sunny days improve the aeration of the vine canopy and help with the removal of moisture from the vines and grapes. The interplay of protection, warmth and air movement can favour a particularly long ripening period. The documented soil comprises fossil-rich reed sandstone, which is linked to the Stuttgart formation.
Grape Varieties and Winemaking
Riesling and Lemberger are classified for the site. For a documented Götzenberg Riesling from the 2021 vintage by Rainer Schnaitmann, mineral, citrusy and aromas of pome fruit and stone fruit are given. The dry wine had 13.0 percent alcohol, 2.3 grams per litre residual sugar and 6.9 grams per litre acidity. It was pressed for a long time with whole grapes, fermented spontaneously, matured in an old 600-litre half cask and stored for 18 months on the lees. A documented Götzenberg Riesling Kabinett by Aldinger was naturally fermented and matured entirely in wooden barrels.
Classification and History
Götzenberg, Uhlbach, is listed in the growing region of Württemberg as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®. The VDP site description traces the name back to an ancient place of cult from the Hallstatt period, which was discovered in 1820. The classified area covers 13.16 hectares; as VDP wineries working there, Aldinger and Rainer Schnaitmann are documented.
