If wine tells the story of the land, mountain´s viticulture narrative is a dramatic one… There are several regions around the world where you can find heroic viticulture: the difficulty of cultivating vines in regions with steep slopes and hillsides (Ribeira Sacra-Spain, Cinque Terre-Italy, etc.)
Heroic winegrowing means that vineyard sites grow in extreme areas,
-at an altitude of more than 1600 feet (500 meters) above sea level
-where vines are planted on slopes greater than 30% and
-vines grow on terraces, embankments, stone steps or even on small islands in difficult growing conditions.
The vineyards in Hessigheim are aprox. 255 metres above sea level (NN). By climbing here you get a sense of how the heroic viticulture may feel. It promises their unique vineyard difficulties.
Viticulture is not easy—but does it have to be this hard?
Yes! Best wines are originated from “hard” viticulture. It´s time to get visible, to protect and promote them. It is necessary to maintain and enhance the vineyards in extreme areas such as Hessigheim, where the typical native vines are growing. Written by Isabel Gil.