Pfaffenheim
Domaine Pierre Frick. 12 generations of winemakers and 12 hectares of vines that Pierre, the last in line, looks after with great passion in biodynamic culture. Vintage after vintage, his vines maintains a superior maturity as a result of controlled yield. A wine that use to be simply a drink is now a wine that is savoured and enjoyed. The wide range includes the Classics, Grands Crus, Précieuses, Exception. His Zero Sulphur blend is made from each grape variety, by fermenting grape juice without any additives. Wines which broaden the horizons of aromas and flavours of anyone who tastes them. The 2009 vintage pinot, Blanc de Noir is a handsome rosé wine with a salmon robe, aromas of blackcurrant flowers and toasted notes. Visits by appointment. 5 rue Baer, 68250 Pfaffenheim – France. www.pierrefrick.com
Rouffach
Domaine René Muré.A family of winemakers since 1648 who owns the Clos Saint-Landelin. A mythical vineyard with vines that are amongst the best in the whole Alsace region. A donation from the bishop of Strasbourg to the monks of Saint Landelin. The south facing plot that sits on a steep and abrupt bed of stones is prestigious. The vineyard is classified as a Grand Cru de Vorbourg and produces wines that are harmonious with good ageing potential. René produces spicy and deep Gewurztraminer and delicate and aromatic Riesling wines. The Crémant wines from a blend of chardonnay, pinot blanc, pinot auxerrois, pinot noir and riesling have very delicate bubbles. A feature specific to the estate, the Cote de Rouffach wine, of registered municipal origin, reveals reds with delicate aromas of fresh and ripe fruits. Tastings at the cellar and visits by appointment. www.mure.com
Westhalten
Bestheim Castle. The House of Heim has been standing since 1765. 700 hectares of vines, itself an exceptional sight in the Alsace region, and a mosaic of grounds and climates that enable the production of these divine wines. Bestheim is renowned for its Crémant wines. The Crémant Prestige cuvée was classified in the Top Ten sparkling wines in the World in 2009. www.bestheim.com
Domaine du Bollenberg. The Meyer family is very resourceful. First of all, they have the vineyard at Bollenberg with the Clos St Apolline which produces fine Alsace wines. The Cellar. Open every day for tastings and sales of the estate’s wines. The Old Wine Press. The inn takes its charm from the old waxed furniture, brass elements and ceramic stove.. The rest follows, a traditional cuisine, which is all the hype with beef tail, stews, pot au feu with foie gras and truffle broth. Blaise makes jams in a cauldron. Fruit is abundant and also used to distil the liqueurs. Blaise fait ses confitures au chaudron. Les fruits abondent et servent à distiller les eaux de vie. The Shop .You can buy all products in the shop or on their website. The Hotel. Its health spa area offers a “Vino Cure”. Wine “in fine” is always being honoured at Bollenberg. Tel.: +33 3 89 49 60 04 www.bollenberg.fr
Domaine Léon Boesh. The Boesh family has seen sons succeed their fathers in 1640 in the Noble Valley. Gérard and Matthieu work in tandem and biodynamically on 14 hectares of vineyards, a portion of which is situated on the Zinnkoepfie Grand Cru. The Gewurtzraminer that are produced from this cru are very pure and a specific minerality, smoky and chalky, close to the Riesling. The entrance to the cellar is in line with the rest of the estate. An XVIIIth century thatched door that gives onto the wine store with superb carved wood barrels. www.domaine-boesch.fr
Soultzmatt
Domaine Seppi Landman. CA free agent in the winemaking world of the Alsace region lives in this Renaissance style house of the former provost. Seppi is a winegrower who lives for his convictions. He harvests his plots of Gewurtz the old fashioned way and only on the weekend. It soon becomes a celebration with men, horses, music, drinks and poetry evenings in the heart of the vines to which all are welcome. The handpicked ice harvest by minus 7 degrees have their supporters. The frozen grapes will produce an Ice Wine, a rare nectar. Seppi does hesitate to take it further by producing an “Outlawed” cuvée from a late harvest and a non registered grape variety. He reoffends by maturing a Riesling in young barrels and producing an erotic cuvée. In short, an outlaw who has as much fun as a minstrel whilst making wines that compete with the best. www.seppi-landmann.fr
Le Paradis des Sources. Back to the sources of wine? Bacchus and his muses will greet you for a spectacle in the land of vines. Sequins and glamour, the famous cabaret presents music-hall artists from all over the world. A guaranteed good evening, it’s all over the papers.Tel.: +33 3 89 22 44 44. www.paradis-des-sources.com
Murbach
Murbach Abbey. A treasure of Roman architecture with foundations that date back to the year 728 under Saint Pirmin. The Benedictin Abbey is one of the most important ones in the XVIth century in the whole of the Germanic Roman Empire. Its facade with its enclosed gallery adorned with small columns sculpted with great detail is quite remarkable. Count Eberhard, the great financier of the Abbey in the XIIth century, lay inside.
The Schaefferhof. The Former sharecropper farm of the princes abbots of Murbach, dating from the XVIIIth century, was transformed by Mrs Rothenflug into a charming bed and breakfast. Lost in the Murdach valley, lucky is the one who finds it! Chinese whispers work around here. Park, orchard, vegetable garden and lambs in the walled garden, it’s like the Petit Trianon here. The rooms are soft, refined and every detail has been cared for, it’s like being on cloud nine. And the foie gras, james, dinners and breakfasts… In short, a fabulous to stop towards the end of your wine tour. 6 rue de Guebwiller. Tel.: + 33 3 89 74 98 98 www.winechictravel.
Orschwihr
Domaine Valentin Zusslin
Valentin sons and daugthers with Marie and Jean-Paul represent the thirteenth generation of Zusslins. Nowadays, the vineyard is run following biodynamic principles by the children. Over 13 hectares of vines well established over the hillsides around the Bollenberg, the Pfingsteberg Grand Cru and the Clos Liebenberg. A small niche and a monopoly, the Clos Liebenberg is a gem of nature for botanists and was classified a Natura 2000 area. The Riesling Grand Cru Pfingstberg was distinguished as one of five standout Clos by the magazine “Revue des Vins de France”. A complex wine that unveils a fatty side and great depth. One point to note is that the corks are completely ecological and marked with beeswax. 100% Riesling grapes to produce a wine that is precious, straight, supple, with notes of citrus and aromas of fruit between pineapple and grapefruit. Visits from Mondays to Fridays and by appointment. 57 Grand rue (haute) 68500 Orschwihr – France www.zusslin.com
Guebwiller
The Dominicains of Guebwiller. Source of inspiration, creative space, the former XIVth century abbey has been converted and embraced Art. The audiovisual centre is housed in the Chapter Hall. Concerts are stages in the convent where a range of music from the times of the troubadours to John Page and Monteverdi is performed. The shows, each of international calibre are a unique experience not to be missed. Information, listings and bookings. Tel.: +33 3 89 62 21 82 www.les-dominicains.com
Cavavin. With a choice that includes over 500 wine references, with the Alsace are the forefront, the Cavarin wine merchant is quite able to demonstrate the virtues of each. Every Saturday, he organises “Food and Wine” events and opens his cellar to just a select few wine enthusiasts. 19 rue de la République. Tel.: + 33 3 89 37 88 53
Thann
The Rangen Vineyard. The Rangen vineyard is split between 6 or 7 winemakers who grow muscat, riesling, pinot gris and gewurztraminer great varieties. It is highly recognised and classified Grand Cru in its entirety.
St Thiebaut Collegiate Church. Along with the one in Strasbourg, this collegiate church is especially representative of the Rhine Gothic style in the Alsace region. Built over more than two hundred years from the XIIIth to the XVth century, it boasts a remarkable set of stained glass windows along with a tympanum describing 120 scenes and 500 characters from the New Testament.
Engelbourg Castle. The XIIth century ruins, with its sculpted stoned also knows that Witches Eye, are a strange sighting. A stone ring, which reminds us of more modern art work.
The Clos at the Saint Urbain Chapel. Eugène Schnegbelen’s estate stands out for being located on the Rangen. A territority where Grands Crus blossom. Eugène produces limited quantities of his ice wine by harvesting late on this humid volcanic rock around the first frosts. The three Grands Crus feature on the estate, including a Pinot Gris, a specific wine, which is concentrated, with toasted and almost candied notes. www.closdelachapelle.fr
The Caseus Winstub. Amidst a profusion of mismatched objects and flowers, the decor changes with the seasons, Michel Vaccaro’s Winstub is the place to be. Come at lunchtime to share some bread and cheese amongst friends and chat to Michel about wine. The menu offers the whole range of cheese dishes, tartiflette, tarte flambée, flammenküche, not forgetting the selection of cold meats and the choucroute. 100 rue de la I° Armée Tel.: +33 3 89 93 71 10 68
Mulhouse
Named « historic and artistic town » in 2008, Mulhouse is the last stop on the wine route… The writer and philosopher Montaigne would laud the beauty of its town hall “A magnificent gilded palace” he would say. Just one example of the opulence during the Renaissance in the Rhine region. The XVth century houses, the Lys chemist that is still in business, Löwenfels House are other examples of its wealth. The parks and gardens, such as Wallach, Salvador and Tivoli as well as the contemporary sculptures park are the mark of a lifestyle.
The museum of printed fabrics. It demonstrates the importance of fabrics and cloths during the industrial era. The collection charts the evolution of textiles in the decorative arts since the XVIth century. Treasures unveiled. 14 rue Jean-Jacques Henner. Tel.: +33 3 89 46 83 00
www.musee-impression.com
The Museum of Wallpapers. Wallpaper is seeing a comeback on our living room walls. The museum hosts panoramic displays from the XVIII th century to today. Marvels of creation that will lead you to the Indies, florals paradises, gallant decors or the pop-art years. La Commanderie 28 rue Zuber. Tel.: +33 3 89 64 24 56
