Location and classification
Reitsteig is a vineyard site in Castell in the wine-growing region Franken. The site is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE® and covers 4.88 hectares. In the official Bavarian vineyard sites directory, it is listed under Castell in the administrative district of Kitzingen.
Topography and soils
The steep vineyard, which faces south, lies directly below the Schlossberg at about 310 to 370 metres above sea level. The slope gradient is 45 to 70 per cent. The inward-curving form of the terrain helps store warmth; the site is considered warm and sun-exposed, with the heat lasting into the evening. The subsoil consists of gypsum marl (Gipskeuper) with Myophoria layers; the soils are described as clayey-loamy gypsum marl (Gipskeuper).
Grape varieties and cultivation
As classified grape varieties, Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder and Riesling are listed. The winery describes Reitsteig as suitable for white and red Burgundies. The site is a monopoly of the Fürstlich Castell’sche Domäne.
History and wine
On 6 April 1659, at the foot of the Schlossberg in the Reitsteig site, 25 Silvaner vines were planted, which at the time were referred to as Österreicher. The name Reitsteig goes back to an old path that connected Castell with the former castle on the Schlossberg up until the 18th century. A documented vintage from 2022 is a dry red wine made from Spätburgunder. For this wine, spontaneous whole-cluster fermentation was carried out for seven days, followed by 18 months of maturation on fine lees in small wooden casks.
