Location and classification
Klosterbergfelsen is a single vineyard site in Varnhalt in the Ortenau area of the wine-growing region Baden. Varnhalt belongs to Baden-Baden.
Landscape and soils
The terraced vineyard site has numerous dry stone walls, southern to west-northwest orientations, and a slope gradient of 0 to 45 percent. A parcel at Nägelsförst lies on a steep south-facing slope at around 300 metres above sea level. For the soils, arkose sandstone and slate from the Upper Carboniferous are mentioned; from this there develop light loamy sands and medium to heavy clay soils. Further descriptions mention crystalline volcanic tuff with sand, as well as a mixture of arkose sandstone, slate, argillite and volcanic rock.
Grape varieties and wines
Riesling and Spätburgunder are grown in Klosterbergfelsen. Sweet Rieslings are documented as Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese, as well as dry Spätburgunder. Cool air currents from the Black Forest are associated with the freshness of the Klosterbergfelsen wines.
History and vinification
According to the winery, Cistercian nuns planted Spätburgunder vines at Klosterbergfelsen in 1268; the planting material came from the Burgundian mother monastery. For a Klosterbergfelsen Eiswein, a harvest yield of 10 hectolitres per hectare, the harvest at minus 16 degrees Celsius, and an approximately 20 centimetres high layer of snow are stated. The grapes were pressed immediately with a historical wine press and then fermented for five months. For the Trockenbeerenauslese, there were maceration periods, a gentle pressing that preserves clarification, fermentation in barrique and chilled ageing on fine lees.
