Location and classification
Sonnhohle is a legally designated single vineyard in the municipal area of Heitersheim in the Markgräflerland region in Baden. It lies south of Heitersheim and is gently oriented towards the south. The terrain is described as slightly sloping and comparatively uniform.
Climate and soils
The site is influenced by the Burgundian Gate, which contributes to the mild climate of the Markgräflerland through Mediterranean warm air. The soils range from loess to clayey loam; in the subsoil, loess loam is mentioned.
Vineyard areas and cultivation
In the 1960s, Hubert Zähringer acquired around five hectares of Sonnhohle. The total area of the single vineyard is given as about seven hectares. A large part of the vines was planted in the 1970s. Sonnhohle was the first vineyard plot of the Zähringer winery to be converted to organic viticulture; the conversion began in the 1980s. Documented measures to promote biodiversity include small areas with fruit trees and dry-stone walls.
Grape varieties and wines
The most important documented grape varieties are Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc). From old vines, Zähringer Réserve and Grande Réserve wines are produced. Documented are dry Weißburgunder and dry Pinot Noir, including wines with the designation Grande Réserve. For the production of Grande Réserve, the grapes are strongly yield-reduced and read selectively. Also documented are hand harvest, a long maceration period, spontaneous fermentation and extended ageing on the lees. The 2023 vintage of the Weißburgunder Grande Réserve was spontaneously fermented in wood, aged on the lees and matured in barrique; the Pinot Noir Grande Réserve from 2020 received a cold maceration, spontaneous fermentation and more than 15 months of maturation in barrique.
