Elstertal

The Elstertal is, alongside Meissen, the second district of the Saxony wine region and lies outside the Free State. It extends further north along the Black Elster (Schwarze Elster) around Jessen (Elster) in Saxony-Anhalt and Schlieben in Brandenburg. The district has no Großlagen and comprises three individual sites: the Jessener Gorrenberg, the Kleindröbener Katzenzehe and the Schliebener Langer Berg.

The vines stand in favourable south-facing positions in the Elster valley. In Jessen gravel and loam prevail, in Schlieben mineral-rich soils with biotite granodiorite. The climate is continental and dry. Winegrowing around Jessen peaked in the 15th and 16th centuries, and Antonite monks valued the wine of the Gorrenberg. In Schlieben viticulture is documented since the 13th century; it ended in the 20th century for economic and climatic reasons, and the Langer Berg has been replanted since 1992.

Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Kerner, Weißburgunder and Traminer are among the varieties grown, along with Spätburgunder, Schwarzriesling and the fungus-resistant varieties Regent and Acolon. The plots are very small and mostly farmed by associations and part-time growers; the wines are light, fresh and intended for regional sale.