Location and classification
The Köppelberg officially bears the name Pfortenser Köppelberg and is located in the Bad Kösen district of Naumburg in Saxony-Anhalt. As a single vineyard site, it belongs to the Großlage Naumburger Göttersitz in the quality wine-growing region Saale-Unstrut.
Landscape and climate
The vineyard forms part of the historic wine-growing landscape of Kloster Pforta on the orographically right bank of the Saale. The valley sides in the Bad Kösen area are characterised by Lower Muschelkalk and Wellenkalk. The Saale valley has a warmer local climate than the surrounding high plateaus; the growing season lasts about 220 to 225 days. South-facing slopes of the valley and high plateaus feature particularly favourable sunshine exposure.
Grape varieties and cultivation
The state winery Kloster Pforta cultivates the vineyard. The 2024 vineyard site register lists a vine area of 13.4765 hectares. The documented main grape varieties include Riesling, Grauburgunder, Blauer Zweigelt and Blauer Portugieser. In addition, Blauer Silvaner and Weißer Elbling are preserved as historically associated varieties. In July 2016, in cooperation with the state winery Kloster Pforta and research partners, a model planting for genetic grapevine resources was established there.
History and wines
The Köppelberg was created by the Cistercian monks of Kloster Pforta. The first documentary account is given as 1147; the Naumburg monument register names 1154. It describes the Köppelberg as the oldest vineyard of Kloster Pforta and states that it continues to be used. Documented are a dry wine made from Blauer Portugieser and a brut from Weißer Elbling.
