Location and Classification
The officially recorded vineyard Weimarer Poetenweg is located in the wine-growing region Saale-Unstrut, in the area of Thuringia, and is not part of any major collective sites. The registered vineyard plots extend over Tiefurt, Großkromsdorf, Schöndorf and Denstedt. The vineyard is recognised as a single vineyard (Einzellage) and comprises, as of 31 December 2024, an planted area of 46.7180 hectares.
Topography and Climate
The hillside site near Weimar is located on the Poetenweg, which runs on the south-facing slope of the Kleiner Ettersberg. Many sunny days and the location in a local heat island shape the climate. Cooler north winds reduce air humidity. The conditions are associated with dry wines, a relatively high level of acidity and good ageing potential. The soils consist of shell limestone weathering with substantial proportions of limestone, clay and loam.
Cultivation
Winegrowing was resumed in 2008 after a break. Since 2015, the Agrargenossenschaft Gleina has been cultivating 46 hectares in the Weimar area, including plots in Schöndorf, Kromsdorf and Denstedt. The documented work includes pruning the vines, tying in and bending the shoots, repeated leaf trimming and regular checks as part of integrated plant protection. The first conversion of two hectares to organic winegrowing began in 2020 and was completed in 2023. New plantings are established with fungus-resistant varieties.
Grape Varieties and Wines
At the Weimarer Poetenweg, Auxerrois, Pinot gris (Grauburgunder), Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Silvaner, Blauer Zweigelt, Dornfelder and Frühburgunder are documented. The grapes are processed separately by the winemaking cooperative Freyburg-Unstrut and marketed since 2015 under the brand Werkstück Weimar. The range includes dry white and red wines, rosé as well as semi-dry wines. The harvest is carried out mechanically; for ice wine and Trockenbeerenauslese, hand-picking remains planned. A documented red wine cuvée is classified as German Quality Wine dry.
