Location and classification
Königstein is a officially registered single-vineyard site in the wine-growing region Saale-Unstrut. It is located in the Mansfelder Seen area outside a large site (Großlage) and is assigned to the cadastral districts of Westerhausen and Quedlinburg. The vineyard is on the south side of Königstein near Westerhausen, an eastern district of Thale in Saxony-Anhalt.
Climate and soils
The site lies on the southern terrace, or on the slope, of the Königstein, which is around 189 metres high. The local climate is described as mild and protected by the Harz. In addition, the site benefits from the rain shadow of the Brocken; mountain ridges keep off cold north-westerly winds. Characteristic are sandstone formations as well as a loamy, stony-rich soil.
Vines and cultivation
The register of vineyard areas lists for Westerhäuser Königstein as at 31 December 2024 a planted area of 2.5935 hectares. On the south side, Riesling, Spätburgunder, Dornfelder and Cabernet Mitos are documented. Cultivation is carried out with deliberately low yields and exclusively by hand harvest.
History and vinification
The first experimental vines were planted in 1988. In 1989, a vineyard was established on around 1,000 square metres by converting an old fruit orchard on the south terrace of the rock massif. The first ten bottles were produced in 1991. The associated winery produces white, red and rosé wines and documents both modern cellar technology and traditional ageing in wooden casks.
