Location and Classification
Käsleberg is a legally defined single vineyard (Einzellage) within the Oberrotweiler cadastral area of Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl in the Kaiserstuhl area of the winegrowing region Baden. The single vineyard is assigned to the Großlage Vulkanfelsen.
Topography and Soils
The roughly 300 hectares of vineyard are characterised by mostly gentle slopes. Elevations lie at approximately between 200 and 300 metres, with slope gradients between 0 and 20 per cent. Exposures range from west to east; flatter areas are oriented towards the north-east. Predominant are loess soils, in part with deep loess over calcareous volcanic rock Tephrit.
Grape Varieties and Wines
At Käsleberg, among others, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Silvaner, Gewürztraminer and Spätburgunder are grown. For the Oberrotweiler Käsleberg, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder are also documented. The Käsleberg wines include dry white, rosé and red wines. A Müller-Thurgau is designated as a semi-dry German Qualitätswein from Baden.
Cultivation and Maturation
For vineyard areas in Oberrotweiler Käsleberg, hand harvesting (grape picking) and cover-crop mixtures of regional grasses and herbs to promote biodiversity are documented. A Käsleberg Weißburgunder undergoes several hours of skin contact and matures for seven months on fine lees in stainless steel. Clarification is carried out using gravity; the wine is processed vegan. For Käsleberg wines, partial fermentation with natural yeasts, a largely reduced use of fining and filtration, as well as a dry maturation are also described.
