Location and soils
Pfaffensteig is a registered vineyard site in the municipality of Segnitz at the southern end of the Maindreieck in Franken. In the Bavarian directory of vineyard sites, the site is assigned to the Großlage Kitzinger Hofrat. It is oriented towards the south-southeast and as a result already receives many hours of sunshine in the early morning. The altitude is about 236 metres above sea level.
The vines take root in weathered shell limestone. The Sonnenstuhl parcel within Pfaffensteig has a stony, skeletal soil that limits the growth of the vines.
Cultivation and grape varieties
The vineyards are farmed using sustainable methods. These include building up humus, soil-friendly measures and measures to promote biodiversity. For the Pfaffensteig plots, targeted yield reduction, hand-harvesting as well as the selection of healthy, ripe and aromatic grapes are also documented.
The planted grape varieties include Silvaner, Scheurebe and Rieslaner. In the Sonnenstuhl parcel, primarily Silvaner, Chardonnay and Weißburgunder are found.
Wines and ageing
From Pfaffensteig, dry wines made from Silvaner and Weißburgunder are documented. Rieslaner is also documented as Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese.
For the defined site wines, gentle pressing is stated and, depending on the wine, fermentation or ageing in stainless steel or large wooden barrels. Site wines ripen for at least nine months on the full lees.
Name and history
The name Pfaffensteig refers to the historic path between Segnitz and Zeubelried, which Catholic clergy used on the way between their churches. The municipality states that the last priest left the path in 1601. A map from 1741 documents vineyard areas at Pfaffensteig and at Zobelsberg. The Sonnenstuhl parcel was newly added to the Unterfranken directory of vineyard sites in 2023.
