Stiftungskellerei der Heiliggeistspitalstiftung - Freiburger Schloßberg Riesling kabinett trocken dry 1985

Heiliggeistspitalstiftung Foundation Winery – Freiburg Schloßberg Riesling Kabinett dry 1985: A testament to Baden’s wine history

The 1985 Freiburg Schloßberg Riesling Kabinett dry from the Heiliggeistspitalstiftung Foundation Winery is a remarkable testament to Freiburg’s wine-growing tradition, which stretches back over 700 years. The Heiliggeistspitalstiftung, one of Germany’s oldest foundations, has been running its vineyard since 1298, when a ‘Spitaltrotte’ was first mentioned in a document. At that time, citizens transferred ownership of their vineyards to the foundation as a form of benefice in order to be provided for in their old age – a principle that shaped the link between viticulture and social welfare for centuries. Since 1895, the winery has been based at the Jesuit Castle in Merzhausen, where the wines are still matured today.

The Freiburger Schloßbergvineyard is one of Germany’s finest sites. The south-facing steep slope, at an altitude of 220 to 280 metres, lies on weathered gneiss soil, which lends the wines a refreshing minerality. The unique microclimate – intense sunshine during the day and acidity-preserving coolness at night thanks to the Höllental downslope wind – creates ideal conditions for Riesling. The soil is still tilled by hand today, ensuring it remains uncompacted and loose.

The 1985 vintage is considered one of the very good vintages in Baden. In regional wine literature, it is highlighted, alongside 1990 and 1997, as one of the few years with ‘very good results’. The weather conditions allowed the grapes to ripen evenly, and the dry style – ‘Kabinett trocken’ – emphasises the delicate fruit and the mineral structure of the Riesling.

After almost four decades of ageing in the bottle, this wine is in a condition enjoyed by only a few bottles. The colour is likely to be a deep gold with amber highlights. The nose reveals the typical tertiary aromas of a mature Riesling: notes of dried apricots, honey, caramel and the petrol note characteristic of mature Rieslings, underpinned by the mineral character of the gneiss soil. On the palate, the acidity is well-integrated, retaining remarkable freshness and length despite the wine’s age.

For lovers of great Baden Rieslings, this 1985 Freiburger Schloßberg is an extraordinary experience – a liquid testament to a bygone era of Freiburg viticulture and a rare find from the collection of one of Germany’s most traditional foundations.