Location and Classification
The legal name of the wine-growing site is Jenaer Grafenberg. It is located in the district of Kunitz in the town of Jena in the winegrowing region of Saale-Unstrut, below the Gleisburg, or Kunitzburg. Jenaer Grafenberg is classified as a single vineyard in the area of Thuringia. The official directory of wine-growing sites lists, as of 31 December 2024, a planted vineyard area of 10.4752 hectares in the cadastral district of Kunitz.
Relief and Soil
The site is oriented southwest to west and has a moderate slope. The soil is described as a heavy, clay-rich sandstone weathering soil of the Röt formation of the Buntsandstein. At the foot of the vineyard site, Upper Buntsandstein is exposed, while Muschelkalk rises steeply towards the Gleisburg.
Planting and Grape Varieties
The Kunitz vineyard area was created through the cooperation of the Thuringian winery Bad Sulza and Gleistal Agrar eG. Planting began in spring 2010 and was carried on during the period from 2010 to 2015. The varieties grown are Bacchus, Weißburgunder, Silvaner, Riesling, Acolon and Cabernet Jura.
Wines and Vinification
Documented are dry white wines made from Bacchus and Weißburgunder, as well as dry red wines and a dry rosé from Acolon and Cabernet Jura. A Bacchus was fermented cool in a stainless-steel tank and developed with an emphasis on aroma. A Weißburgunder was also fermented cool in a stainless-steel tank and matured on fine lees.
