Location and size
Teufelspfad is an officially registered single-vineyard site in the municipality and in the winegrowing district of Essenheim. The vineyard area comprises 132.8 hectares. The long, steep site is oriented from the south-east to the south-west and lies at about 120 to 240 metres above sea level. It is exposed to the winds from the Selz valley.
Soils
On the upper slope, limestone and calcareous marl are found, while towards the valley sandy loess is documented. In addition, marl-pelosol as well as limestone clay and Terra fusca are listed as soil types of the site.
Grape varieties and wine style
For Teufelspfad, Riesling as well as white and red Pinot varieties are documented. Pinot Gris is recorded in a dry quality wine from the site, and Pinot Noir in a Teufelspfad sparkling wine (Sekt). The site is described with intensive and spicy wines.
History and winemaking
Vine cultivation in the Teufelspfad area is already documented for Roman times. The name refers to a place that was previously considered disreputable; a local legend connects it to a grape thief who believed the devil had stopped him. For the documented vintage 2020 of Teufelspfad Pinot Prestige, Pinot Noir grapes were fermented in barrique from the first selective harvest, matured on full lees and then processed into Sekt with extended lees ageing.
