Location and origin
St. Stephan is the Asselheim wine-growing site in Grünstadt-Asselheim in Pfalz. It is named after the former parish church of St. Stephan, which was built before 1247 by Rosenthal Abbey. The soils consist of loam and limestone.
Climate and cultivation
The Asselheim wine-growing sites are described as being located in the north, which is associated with a longer growing and ripening period. The site wines vineyards are harvested entirely by hand and farmed at yields close to the practical lower limit. The barren soils contribute to the naturally reduced yields.
Grape varieties and wines
For St. Stephan, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are documented. From these, dry white and red wines are produced, including still site wines as well as larger-format estate wines. The wines are designated as German Quality Wine from the protected designation of origin of Pfalz.
Maturation
In the site-wine portfolio, half of the white wines ripen in stainless steel and half in new barriques. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are produced from selectively harvested grapes and matured in the barrique; the Merlot is documented as unfiltered.
