Location and Climate
Karthäuser is a vineyard site in Volkach-Astheim in the wine-growing region Franconia, located in the Volkach Mains loop. The site has a warm local microclimate. The classified plots are at about 190 to 220 metres above sea level, face south and have a slope of roughly 10 to 30 percent.
Soils and Planting
The classified plots have shell limestone marl with fluviatile sands. The loose soils can store water. A Karthäuser plot farmed by Weingut Rudolf Fürst is described as poor, stony white shell limestone and terrace gravel, and it has good drainage. New plantings were established there with up to 17,000 vines per hectare.
Grape Varieties and Wines
For the classified site, Silvaner and Weißburgunder are documented. Astheimer Karthäuser Silvaner is listed as a dry German quality wine from Franconia; younger examples show around 12 to 13 percent alcohol. In a plot farmed by Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Chardonnay is documented, which is developed there in a Burgundy style.
Name and Classification
The name goes back to the former Carthusian monastery Marienbrück in Astheim, which was founded in 1409 by Erkinger von Seinsheim. Karthäuser is recorded for Astheim in the Bavarian vineyard register as an approved geographical vineyard designation. The VDP classifies the site in Volkach as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®; the classified area is 11.56 hectares, with Weißburgunder stated as the classified grape variety.
