The steepness of vineyards is given in per cent (%) or degrees (°). However, the values given in many sources are often incorrect due to incorrect information or confusion between per cent and degree. At 45° this is converted to 100%, whereas 45% is only 24°. The impossible 100° (overhang) would result in 567% in purely mathematical terms. An inclination of 90° corresponds to a vertical wall. The real maximum values for vineyards are around 75° (373%); the 68° of the single vineyard Calmont in Bremm on the Moselle come very close to this limit (see picture below).
In steep-slope viticulture on extremely steep slopes, often no conventional mechanical cultivation is possible, but only laborious manual labour with the help of special equipment. The vineyards are usually laid out in terraces with retaining walls and steps. Rope hoists or special caterpillar vehicles have to be used to maintain the vineyards, which can largely only be done manually. For this reason, traditional training systems such as single-pole training (Mosel stake training) are often used. In exposed areas, plant protection products are sprayed using helicopters, and materials, people and grapes are transported via monorack railways during the grape harvest.
There are well-known steep-slope vineyards in Germany in the Ahr, Baden(Engelsfelsen), Franconia(Kallmuth, Würzburger Stein), Middle Rhine(Bopparder Hamm), Mosel(Calmont, Doctor), Rheingau (Berg Roseneck, Berg Rottland, Berg Schlossberg, Höllenberg) and Württemberg in the Neckar valley (Zuckerle).
In Austria, they can be found in southern Styria in the Sausaltal and in the Wachau, such as the Kellerberg. In Switzerland, they can be found in the two cantons of Vaud (Chablais, Lavaux) and Valais(Visperterminen).
The most famous steep vineyards in France are in Alsace (including the Grand Cru vineyard Rangen), as well as on the Rhône in the Condrieu, Cornas, Côte Rôtie and Hermitage appellations. In Italy, this includes areas in the Cinque Terre region in Liguria, the Valtellina region in Lombardy and the Aosta Valley, Piedmont and South Tyrol regions. There are others in Portugal in the Douro port wine area and in Spain in the Priorato area.
See also the keywords largest wine region/vineyard, smallest vineyards & vineyards, highest vineyard, northernmost vineyard and southernmost vineyard as well as superlatives in viticulture under records. Complete lists of related keywords can be found under vineyard area and vine.
Calmont: By H.Peierl - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
Kallmuth: VDP.DIE PRÄDIKATSWEINGÜTER
Zuckerle: By Berndt Fernow - Self-photographed, Public domain, Link
Kellerberg: Image: © Robert Herbst POV
Côte Rôtie: By BlueBreezeWiki - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Douro: By Bruno Rodrigues, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
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