Location and classification
The Schloßberg is an officially registered single-vineyard site in the cadastral district of Weingarten (Pfalz). It belongs to the Trappenberg complex of sites in the winegrowing region of Südliche Weinstraße in the Palatinate (Pfalz). The registered area covers 45.3 hectares.
Südpfalzweinberg
Within the Schloßberg lies the Südpfalzweinberg, at around 2,400 square metres with roughly 1,000 vines. The site comprises more than 90 historic native grape varieties. Documented examples include Ortlieber, Honigler, Affentaler and Blauer Kracher.
Cultivation and winemaking
The vines were propagated from cuttings of old vines, grafted and then planted in Weingarten. The Südpfalzweinberg is cared for and managed by Andreas Jung, the grape-variety conservator; Wilfried and Adrian Spieß from Weingut Spieß provide support during work in the vineyard. Adrian Spieß also takes care of cellar-related and oenological collaboration. The hand-picked harvest is processed each year as a vintage cuvée from red or white grapes.
Historical reference
The Schloßberg is connected with the medieval castle of the Lords of Weingarten, which has been documented since 1226. The castle was destroyed in 1525 during the unrest of the Reformation period.
