Location and Extent
The Escherndorfer Lump is a vineyard site in Escherndorf within the Franconian wine-growing region Franken. The vineyards form a wide arc around the town and open towards the Main Valley. The local description gives a total area of around 25 hectares; as classified area, the VDP lists 9.88 hectares.
Relief and Climate
The classified site is oriented to the south up to south-southeast, lies at around 190 to 270 metres above sea level, and has slope gradients of 45 to 75 percent. The concave, amphitheatre-like shape protects against cold winds from the north and east and concentrates the sun exposure on the south-facing slopes. Measurements by the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture show a higher level of radiation exposure during the ripening period than in neighbouring sites oriented to the east or north.
Soil and Cultivation
The classified area is on Upper Muschelkalk. The soils described locally developed from strongly weathered Muschelkalk and contain a high proportion of rock fragments. The Lump is cultivated as a steep-slope vineyard; according to the local description, the steepest sections reach up to 70 degrees.
Grape Varieties and Classification
For the Escherndorfer Lump, among other varieties, Silvaner, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Scheurebe, Rieslaner, Müller-Thurgau, Gelber Muskateller, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer and Spätburgunder are classified. Descriptions link wines from the site with pronounced acidity as well as concentrated, smoky fruit characteristics. The VDP lists the Escherndorfer Lump as VDP.ERSTE LAGE® in Franken. The name “Am Lumpen” is already documented in a estates and order description from 1655; today, a delimited VDP.GROSSE-LAGE® parcel within the Escherndorfer Lumpen bears the name AM LUMPEN 1655.
