"The dry stone walls are the backbone of our district's cultural landscape and offer added value for society as a whole. The vineyard slopes serve both as a recreational and tourist area, as well as slope protection and an important area of biodiversity. It is important to me to recognize and thank the craft of wall building and thus the people who practice this art with sweat and skill. That is why we are happy to support the initiative for recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site," says District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
The regional initiative "Fascination Moselle" has taken the lead in the application. "Registration as Intangible Cultural Heritage would be a valuable recognition and could provide new impetus for protective measures, further training and the appreciation of this traditional craft," continued the district administrator.
By abandoning the land, dry stone walls lose the actual purpose of their creation
In Württemberg, the craft of dry stone wall building is linked to viticulture, particularly along the Neckar and Enz rivers. This is currently under great economic pressure. In the past four years, around ten percent of steep-slope vineyards have been taken out of cultivation. With the abandonment of the areas, the dry stone walls lose the actual purpose of their creation. "We can only succeed in preserving the walls and thus preserving the craft if the land continues to be farmed. This requires an adequate price for the wine. By recognizing the craft of wall building as cultural heritage, we have the opportunity to draw the attention of the population and consumers to the uniqueness of this cultural landscape," says Dietrich Rembold, President of the Württemberg Winegrowers' Association.
All relevant stakeholders can participate in the application
A nationwide participation process was launched to ensure that the application reflects as many facets of dry stone walling as possible. All relevant stakeholders - people from the trades, science, experts from nature conservation and monument protection as well as regional initiatives - are invited to take part in an online survey at: https://daten.kv-bks-wil.de/apps/forms/s/jrxFmrm23DfWDJ4AgHwd5PAS.
Background:
Steep slopes in the district of Ludwigsburg
The district of Ludwigsburg is said to have the most dry stone walls in Germany. Even if exact figures are lacking, as under wine-growing law this is only a special sub-area of the delimitation of steep slopes. The terraced vineyards are cultivated almost exclusively by hand. The workload is four times higher than in mobile vineyards.
The district has had a part-time position for a steep slope officer since 2023. This position supports municipalities, farmers and creative ideas relating to the preservation of the steep slope cultural landscape.
Further information can be found on the Ludwigsburg district website.
About the Württemberg Winegrowers' Association
The Weinbauverband Württemberg e.V. is the professional and economic representation of Württemberg's wine producers. It is also responsible for ensuring compliance with and promoting local viticulture, including by maintaining the specifications for the product specification of the protected designation of origin "PDO Württemberg". The association has around 10,500 members in the Württemberg region and represents over 95 percent of producers and the volume of wine produced.
Further information can be found on the homepage of the Württemberg Winegrowers' Association.
