Location and Topography
The Pulvermächer is located in Stetten, a district of Kernen im Remstal, in the wine-growing region Württemberg. The single vineyard lies in a side valley of the Rems, below the Yburg. As a terraced, south-facing slope, it reaches a gradient of up to 25 percent and is situated at around 350 to 370 metres above sea level.
Soil and Warmth
The sheltered side valley and the terraces collect and retain warmth. The site is associated with bunt marls, Keuper weathering material, siliceous sandstone and reed sandstones.
History and Classification
The Pulvermächer was first documented in 1650. The name is connected with a historical stone quarry in which a Pulvermächer, an earlier designation for an explosives specialist, carried out stone blasting. As part of land consolidation, the original Gewann was extended in 1971 by adjoining areas; according to the VDP, the single vineyard that resulted comprised 37.3 hectares. A sub-plot covering 6.92 hectares is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® under the designation PULVERMÄCHER, Stetten.
Grape Varieties and Cultivation
Riesling is the most important grape variety of the site, whose VDP-classified area is designated for Riesling. Dry Rieslings are documented, including wines as VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS. The Schwegler winery cultivates its Pulvermächer vineyards with permanent ground cover, high vine spacing, short pruning, fertilisation tailored to requirements based on soil analyses, reduced plant protection without insecticides for several years, regular thinning and variety-specific harvest times.
