Location and Designations
The vineyard is documented in Schützingen, a district of Illingen, as Schützinger Heiligenberg, and in Häfnerhaslach, a district of Sachsenheim, as Häfnerhaslacher Heiligenberg. Schützingen is assigned to the winegrowing region Württemberg.
Topography and Climate
The Schützingen vineyards lie on the south-facing slopes of the elevations Gleichenberg, Endberg and Gausberg. The slopes, which are sometimes steep, reach inclines of up to 60 percent and are at an altitude of about 280 to 370 metres. A wooded area to the north-east of the vineyard sites protects against harsh winds; as a result, the climate is described as relatively mild.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The soils consist of weathered Keuper rock, including the upper Bunten Mergeln. Soil depth and stone content vary within the slopes. Among the traditional grape varieties of the producers associated with the Schützinger Heiligenberg are Lemberger, Spätburgunder, Trollinger, Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Weißburgunder. In addition, Frühburgunder, Acolon, Merlot, Cabernet Cubin and Cabernet Dorsa are planted or in use.
Wines and Maturation
From the Häfnerhaslacher Heiligenberg, a dry Riesling, a dry red wine made from Cabernet Cubin, and a brut sparkling wine made from Schwarzriesling are documented. For a Schwarzriesling, white pressing and traditional bottle fermentation are described. The best wines from the surroundings of the Schützinger Heiligenberg ripen in wooden casks and barriques; the traditionally produced German sparkling wine is shaken by hand. A historical publication also mentions the Heiligenberg as one of Schützingen’s vineyard sites in an aerial photograph from 1931.
