Location and geology
The Neckarhalde is a single vineyard in Esslingen am Neckar in the wine-growing region Württemberg. The vineyard, facing south-west, lies at around 290 to 310 metres above sea level and has slope gradients of up to 15 percent. The soils consist of calcareous, clay-containing Knollenmarl, a Keuper marl formation.
Ownership and cultivation
The site covers around 0.9 hectares and, as a monopoly, is entirely owned by the Kusterer family. In 2007, the family acquired the entire Neckarhalde.
Grape varieties and wines
Spätburgunder and Chardonnay are grown in the Neckarhalde. Chardonnay is the only white grape variety planted there. The winery currently produces a dry Neckarhalde Chardonnay; a Neckarhalde Spätburgunder is documented as a dry wine matured in new barriques.
History and cellar technology
The terraces of the Neckarhalde have been documented since around 1220. Between the vineyards, a four-storey gravity cellar and a press house were built, which have been used since the 2012 vintage. The system moves grapes and must by gravity.
