Location and wine-legislative classification
The Höhnstedter Steiger lies in Höhnstedt, a district of Salzatal in the Saalekreis district in Saxony-Anhalt. The single vineyard belongs to the Großlage Höhnstedter Kelterberg in the Mansfelder Seen area of the Qualitätsweinbaugebiet Saale-Unstrut.
Name and history
The historical field name “Der Steiger” referred to the steep incline of an old path from the former bank of the Salzig See towards Höhnstedt. A court file from the Amts Seeburg from 1563 mentions a vineyard of this name and is considered the oldest documented reference to a vineyard in Höhnstedt. After a sharp decline in viticulture as a result of the phylloxera infestation towards the end of the 19th century, it was revived in the 1920s.
Site and vines
The officially recorded planted area as of 31 December 2024 amounted to a total of 7.3098 hectares. The site is described as having a sun-exposed microclimate protected by the Harz, as well as loess and glacial marl soils. A documented area under cultivation of 1.3 hectares is planted with Müller-Thurgau, Weißburgunder, Traminer and Merlot.
Cultivation and wines
Cane pruning, tying, shoot positioning and topping are carried out manually; the harvest is also done by hand. From the vines of the Höhnstedter Steiger, a dry Weißburgunder Kabinett and a red wine made from Merlot are documented. This Merlot was first aged for one year in stainless steel and then for four years in barrique.
