The German wine-growing region of Franconia used to be divided into the three areas of Maindreieck, Mainviereck and Steigerwald with 23 large vineyards and 216 individual vineyards. In November 2011, the members of the Franconian Winegrowers' Association decided on a new system. The three old areas were divided into 12 much smaller ones. These will also replace the 23 large vineyards in the medium to long term. The old areas once played a role in the predominant marketing of Franconian table wine, but had lost this role some time ago.

Vineyards & grape varieties

The Steigerwald area is located in the east and comprises over 1,500 hectares of vineyards. This also includes a section of the Tauber Valley at the source of the Tauber near Rothenburg. The predominant soil type is heat-retaining gypsum keuper. Layers of this formation are known as "Steigen" (hence Steigerwald). These are the highest Franconian vineyards up to almost 400 metres above sea level. The most common grape varieties are Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Bacchus. The area is divided into the nine large vineyards Burgberg, Burgweg, Herrenberg, Kapellenberg, Schild, Schloßberg, Schloßstück, Steige and Zabelstein.