Location and Classification
Heroldsberg is a single vineyard site in Hammelburg in the Saale valley of Franken. The local designation is Hammelburger Heroldsberg. Under wine law, the site belongs to the Großlage Burg in the area of Frankens Saalestück.
Relief, Climate and Soils
Documented plots in the Eschental lie on steep slopes facing south-west, with a gradient of up to 70 percent. The slopes receive a great deal of sun at midday and in the evening. The area around Hammelburg has a comparatively short growing season and protected side valleys. The vineyards are characterised by stony shell limestone soils.
Cultivation and Grape Varieties
Steep Heroldsberg plots are cultivated using a winch and extensive manual work. This includes hand mowing or hoeing in steep areas, as well as hand harvesting. Documented are also organically farmed areas without irrigation and without chemically synthetic plant protection products. Some vines are older than 35 years and are listed with lower yields. Planted varieties include, among others, Silvaner, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder, Riesling, Bacchus, Müller-Thurgau and Laurot.
Historical Vineyard and Wine Styles
Heroldsberg is one of the older historical vineyard sites of Hammelburg. A small-scale form of cultivation has been handed down, with dry stone walls, hedges, and strips in between that are left uncultivated. Documented wines include dry Grauburgunder from steep shell limestone plots, as well as Silvaner, which is aged on the lees in a 500-litre wooden tonneau.
