Nonnenberg

The Nonnenberg is a vineyard site in Steinbach, a district of Ebelsbach, in the wine-growing region Franken. The site extends along the slopes of the Main Valley and borders directly on the Main. The Steinbach Nonnenberg comprises 12.71 hectares and has moderately steep to very steep terrace areas. The flatter sections of the terraces are locally referred to as “Schränke”.

Part of the historical terraces has a characteristic herringbone pattern. Support walls and stairways run across the slope. The walls in the area of the Steinbach Nonnenberg consist of Keuper sandstone. The upper historical terraces were preserved through the land consolidation in the 20th century, while other areas were reorganised in the 1980s.

Keuper and sand soils are documented for the site. The terraces are cultivated entirely by hand, as no machinery can be used there. This also includes tending the vines, support walls, stairways, and other built structures. A documented terrace plot is about 703 square metres in size and was planted in 1982; another comprises about 1,400 square metres.

At the Nonnenberg, among others, Müller-Thurgau, Grüner Silvaner, Bacchus, Kerner, Rieslaner, White Riesling, Ortega, Gewürztraminer, Blue Portugieser, Blue Spätburgunder, Blue Zweigelt, Domina, Dornfelder, Müllerrebe, or Schwarzriesling, and Regent are documented. A historical mixed planting also includes Grüner and Gelber Silvaner, White Heunisch, White Elbling, Trollinger, Blue Kölner, Blue Tokajer, Burgunder, and Red Gutedel; some vines are not identified. From this site, dry Silvaners, wines from mixed plantings, dry red wines, red cuvées, and rosé are produced. A documented Silvaner from a terrace plot is additionally warmed by the sandstone walls and described as full-bodied. A wine from a historical mixed planting matures for longer on the fine lees in a stainless-steel tank before release.

Winegrowing in the Steinbach area has been documented at least since the 10th century. The historical herringbone terraces are structurally dated to at least the 18th century; a listed terrace property already existed before 1847. The historical terraced vineyards of Steinbach have been on the Bavarian list of monuments since 1981.