Kugelspiel
The vineyard has received its unusual name ‘bullet play’ due to an acoustic phenomenon: the distinctive echo from the crack of hunting guns fired in the adjoining woods. While no hunting guns can be heard nowadays, the woods still surround the Kugelspiel vineyard. The proximity to the forest allows for high quality wines to be cultivated on the Kugelspiel vineyard, particularly as it secures the vineyard’s water irrigation during the dry Franconian summer climate.
The West-facing tree-lined hill, which is 300 to 350m high, protects the vineyard from winds and creates a moderate microclimate. The sandy clay soil is heated by the morning sun and retains the heat for the remainder of the day. Especially during the summer and autumn, the only moderately steep vineyard benefits from sun all day. The sheltered location of the vineyard and the Blasensandstein (sand stone) soil produces wines with a soft, smoky flavour and layers of minerals.
In comparison to the steep slopes of the other vineyards, the Kugelspiel is not exposed to high temperature extremes. Thus, its wines are characterised by fresh aromas of gooseberry, herbs, as well as typical spices, which are characteristics of the Silvaner from the high slopes of the Steigerwald.
