Viticulture and wine-making
Viticulture and wine-making have always undergone considerable changes. This means, that varieties change to meet the changing tastes of customers. Like everything in life, also the art of viticulture is in constant evolution. The Clauer winery has always striven to keep up with new trends. Thus, in 1960 Clauer was the first winery of the whole region to cultivate the then little known Müller-Thurgau variety. Clauer was also the first to offer Heidelberg Chardonnay.
Ecological viticulture and wine production, an important issue in the 1980s and today taken for granted in all good companies, has been practised in our winery since the 1960s. It has always been natural for us to look after the environment of our vineyards.
Innovations and tradition
In the passed years we produced a special new wine called Rieslingperle. But, never satisfied with resting on our laurels and always on the lookout for new ideas, we recently produced Junger Heidelberger (Young Heidelberg Wine) – the first new red wine of the year, which brings to mind the taste of Beaujolais primeur. Both of our new wines were sold out within a few weeks.
Thus, this is our philosophy: always to be a step ahead of the others and to be open for innovations without losing the traditional methods of viticulture and winemaking.
One of our most recent innovations is the production of sparkling wine and we are looking forward to offering you some further specialities such as a red sparkling wine.
Grape varieties
Riesling, Rivaner (Müller-Thurgau), Kerner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Silvaner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Portugieser, Pinot Meunier and Cabernet Mitos.
Surface area
12,5 hectares of viticulture, 1 hectare of orchards and 1 hectars of farm land. All of the estate is coherent and surrounds the winery.
Soil composition
Loess and shelly limestone.
Climate
The climate of Badische Bergstraße (an itinerary through the mountainous region of Baden) is one of the mildest of all German viticulture regions. An optimal distribution of precipitation, sufficient sun as well as mild temperatures in winter ensure the most favourable conditions for viticulture.
Wine production
All of our wine is produced exclusively in our own cellar. Since 2001 we have also produced Heidelberg sparkling wines.
Vineyards
90% of the vines grow on the single location of Heidelberger Dormenacker, which is the exclusive possession of the Clauer family.
The rest of our vines come from different locations: Heidelberger Burg, Heidelberger Herrenberg as well as Heidelberger Sonnenseite ob der Bruck. The wines of Dormenacker and Sonnenseite ob der Bruck are marketed with the name of their geographical location, while the geographical locations of the others are not specified, for example Heidelberger Rosé.