Location and Climate
Stich den Buben lies between the Baden-Baden districts of Umweg and Steinbach on the Büchelberg, above the Baden-Baden vineyards. The steep slopes, up to 50 percent inclined, face west to south-west. Small hollows provide additional protection from the wind. The mountains of the Black Forest protect against cold north and east winds, while cold air drains down over the slopes and warm air from the Upper Rhine plain ensures rapid warming in the morning. Baden-Baden belongs to the Baden region.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The topsoil is described as loess or loess loam over a mineral-rich mixture of different types of rock weathering. For a wine from the site, soils from volcanic weathering with schist-containing inclusions are documented. Linked to Stich den Buben are Riesling, Spätburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and Weißburgunder. The warm steep sites are also used for Burgunder varieties whose vines take root in mineral-rich soils and preserve the sun’s warmth well into autumn.
Wine Style and Classification
The Rieslings from Stich den Buben are associated with pronounced minerality and lively acidity. A documented Weißburgunder shows a mineral-influenced, slightly smoky character. The VDP lists Umweger Stich den Buben as VDP.ERSTE LAGE, with a classified area of 25.00 hectares; Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are stated as the classified grape varieties.
Name and Maturation
The name goes back to Hans Stich den Buben, a farm cook who, in 1474, received twelve Steckhaufen of vines as a fief from Margrave Karl von Baden. For a documented Weißburgunder, hand harvest, a short maceration time, cool pre-clarification through sedimentation and temperature-controlled fermentation in a small wooden cask are given. The wines from the Baden-Baden wine house of Stich den Buben are bottled in the traditional Bocksbeutel bottle.
