Location and Classification
The Kuhberg is a single vineyard in Schriesheim in Baden-Württemberg. It belongs to the Badische Bergstraße wine-growing region and to the Großlage Rittersberg. According to the local winegrowers’ cooperative, the Badische Bergstraße is one of the warmest wine-growing regions in Germany.
History and Landscape
The present-day single vineyard was formed in connection with the Wine Act of 1972 through the consolidation of numerous plots. While the original vineyard area was about five hectares, today’s Schriesheim Kuhberg extends over around 70 hectares of vineyard land. The historical site was to the right of the Strahlenburg; the current location comprises vineyard parcels on both sides of the Schriesheim valley.
Soils and Grape Varieties
Pure loess soils and other geological structures occur in the Kuhberg. In the sub-areas Breite Kammer and Ganswingert, the soil consists of pure loess; in Holderbusch and Steinschleife it consists of loamy loess, and in Laubelt of loamy loess with granite scree. Documented grape varieties include Silvaner, Dornfelder, Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Cabernet Mitos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.
Wines and Production
The documented wines include Silvaner Kabinett as well as dry Rivaner, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder as Qualitätsweine. A Spätburgunder from the Breite Kammer and Ganswingert parcels was fermented from hand-harvested grapes in an open fermentation vat and underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation. A Chardonnay from Steinschleife ripened partly in barriques.
