Location and history
Steingrube is documented as Neipperger Steingrube in Neipperg, a district of Brackenheim in Württemberg. The field name Steingrube already appears on a historical cadastral map from 1835.
Site
The vineyard area lies as a flat vineyard slope on a high plateau above Neipperg. The relatively cool site ripens about a week later than the steeper south-facing slopes located further to the east. The soils are described as red and gravelly, as well as Keuper soils with a clay content.
Grape varieties and wines
In Neipperger Steingrube, Lemberger, Trollinger and Spätburgunder are documented. This gives rise to dry Lemberger red wine, semi-dry Lemberger with Trollinger, and sweet Spätburgunder Weißherbst in a rosé style. The Lemberger is described with notes of blackberry, cherry and juniper.
Farming and ageing
For the vines, hand harvesting, low yields and late picking are documented. The dry Lemberger is matured in stainless-steel tanks; for Lemberger wines, maceration on the skins and maturation in wooden casks are also documented. A Neipperger Steingrube Lemberger is documented as a German Quality Wine, and another as a Quality Wine with the Prädikatsstufe Kabinett.
