Location and landscape
The Mönchberg is located in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim in the Stuttgart basin and belongs to the Württemberg winegrowing region. The sheltered site, which faces south, favours an early budburst in spring. The vineyards extend from 250 to 290 metres above sea level, with aspects ranging from south-east to south-west and slope gradients between 10 and 60 percent.
Soil and grape varieties
The documented soil comprises gypsum Keuper and contains, in part, marl and stones. The area classified according to VDP covers 6.00 hectares. The classified grape varieties are Lemberger and Grauburgunder; for the approximately six-hectare Hofkammer single-vineyard, Spätburgunder, Trollinger and Riesling are also documented.
Classification and history
The Mönchberg in Untertürkheim is classified by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® in Württemberg. Historical records mention it at first as a count’s vineyard and later as a duke’s vineyard. In a cellar inventory handed over to Duke Christoph in 1556, the wine from the Mönchberg in Untertürkheim was listed first.
Viticulture and vinification
Since the 2017 vintage, new sward mixtures have been introduced in order to improve the biological activity of the soil. For a documented Mönchberg Lemberger, the grapes were harvested selectively, fermented on the skins, and matured in new barriques made from own oak. The fully fermented wine has ripe tannins and is designed for longer ageing.
