Our vineyards

The Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg lies somewhat set back on the south-west side of the Schwanberg, a foothill of the so-called "Steigerwald". The old "Iphöfer Berg" has a gradient of up to 60 % in the upper area. This southern slope at an altitude of 280 to 380 metres forms a basin due to a hill in front of it. Measurements have shown that this is the hottest vineyard in Franconia, with a surface temperature of 70°. Underground layers of reed sandstone cross the Keuper here. The old quarry above supplied the bricks for the Würzburg Residence. Our Große Gewächse (Grand Crus) grow here. The flank in front, whose southern part still belongs to this site, is home to our Erste.Lage wines. The combination of Keuper and reed sandstone provides the Julius-Echter-Berg wines with a high extract, a herbaceous spiciness and unique tension. They always have incredibly long development.

KRONSBERG

The Iphöfer Kronsberg is one of the top Franconian sites, named after the “crown”, the end of the oak forest above the vineyards. The cave showing the Keuper profile is situated below. The Kronsberg breaks up into a deep area south of the Julius-Echter-Berg and an eastern flank extending to the forest. This south-facing Keuper site is cooler due to the air stream from the eastern woodlands. Its heart is called “Iphöfer Kammer”. Kronsberg and Kammer wines feature delicate fruit, great harmony and elegance.

 

KAMMER

In the 15th century, vineyards from the “Kammer” site were part of the Würzburg cathedral chapter’s tithable vineyards. Now, this old vineyard site has been reactivated and, from the 2018 vintage onwards, designates our Grosse Gewächse. The Kammer borders the Julius-Echter-Berg in the west and nestles below the so-called Grotte eastwards until reaching the mid-part of the Kronsberg. We use the vineyard’s name exclusively for our Silvaner and Riesling “Große Gewächse”.

The independent mountain “Iphöfer Kalb”, situated east of Iphofen, was deforested in the Middle Ages and therefore called the “stark mountain”. Here the gypsum content is higher, and the wines are lighter. The Erste.Lage wines grow on the southern flank, while we mainly harvest VDP.Ortsweine on the western side. The only exception is Gewürztraminer, which becomes especially aromatic in this cooler area.