Steinbachhof

The Steinbachhof is a historic estate and a viticulture site in the Gündelbach district of Vaihingen an der Enz in Württemberg. It lies in the Stromberg landscape, surrounded by areas used for agriculture, woodland, meadows and vineyards. The estate has been documented since 1178; its medieval origins are linked to the Cistercian monastery of Maulbronn. After the Reformation, it became a domain of the House of Württemberg. The Eißler family has lived there since 1848, first as tenants and later as owners.

The Gündelbacher Steinbachhof vineyard site is located on south-facing slopes with favourable exposure to sunshine. The documented slope angles, depending on classification, are around 20 to 60 percent, and the altitude is around 280 to 340 metres. The exposures range from south-west via south and south-east to east. As geological subsoil, Middle Keuper is specified; in addition, Bunter marl and loamy-clayey soils are described.

The winery cultivates about 2.5 hectares of vines. The parcels are tended with extensive manual work and low yields. Manure from the estate’s own goats and horses is used as fertiliser; according to information from the winery, mineral fertiliser has been avoided for many years. The varieties grown are Lemberger, Riesling, Schwarzriesling, Spätburgunder, Weißburgunder and Chardonnay.

Since 2000, the Steinbachhof has been producing its own wines again. White and red wines mature in the historic barrel-vaulted cellar in stainless-steel tanks and 500-litre wooden barrels. In doing so, only a few technical interventions are used, according to the winery; sensory evaluation, experience and the desired style of the wine determine decisions in the cellar. The wines are described as being shaped by the local terroir and by the respective vintage. The Gündelbacher Steinbachhof site is listed by the VDP as VDP.ERSTE LAGE® in Württemberg; as classified grape varieties, the VDP names Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.