Location and Landscape
The Würzburger Stein lies north of the historic centre of Würzburg in Bavaria’s Franconian wine-growing region. The contiguous vineyard site stretches in a shell-shaped curve along the Main for about 85 hectares. Of this, the VDP designates 37 hectares as classified area.
Site and Soils
The slopes, which face south to west, are at an altitude of around 190 to 280 metres and have gradients of 20 to 75 percent. The Main acts as a heat store, while the nearby city of Würzburg contributes to its own microclimate. The site is characterised by high exposure to sunshine and a concave landform. Geologically, it is based on Middle Muschelkalk with a layer of Upper Muschelkalk; the soils are described as sandy loam with medium to great depth.
Grape Varieties and Wines
For the classified site, the VDP names Silvaner, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Spätburgunder, Grauburgunder, Rieslaner, Traminer, Blaufränkisch and Chardonnay. The protected designation Würzburger Stein-Berg is limited to Silvaner, Riesling and Weißer Burgunder. The dry white quality wines produced from this are characterised by depth, body, integrated acidity, varietal-typical fruit and mineral notes associated with the Muschelkalk.
History and Wine Law
Wine growing at Würzburger Stein has been documented since around 779. The Cistercian abbot Alberich Degen planted Silvaner there in 1665. In the cellar of the Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist in Würzburg, a stone wine from the 1540 vintage has been preserved. Würzburger Stein is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE. The name Würzburger Stein-Berg has the protection of an appellation of origin; its protected area includes exclusively registered parcels within the vineyard site. The maximum yield is set at 50 hectolitres per hectare.
