Alsace Vineyards 3 - Châtenois to Colmar

• Châtenois (in Bas-Rhin) to Colmar
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Ribeauvillé: Kintzheim (in Bas-Rhin) to Turckheim

An eagle sanctuary (Volerie des Aigles) and a 13th century castle

• Translation: Prelate (e.g., a Bishop) Mountain
• Location: Orshwiller and Kintzheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite/Gneiss
• Vineyard: 18.70 ha (46.75 acres), faces E and SE, altitude 250-350 m (825-1,155 ft), drainage is good
• Grapes: R, G, PG, M
• Sleeping Beauty: Allimant-Laugner, Fernand Engel
• Notable: Owned by Ebersmunster Abbey in 823 AD

Rodern: half-timbered buildings from the 16-18th centuries frame lanes with coutyards and wine cellars.  A parish church boasts a 14th century bell tower made from Vosges sandstone.

True: its city wall was built in 1316 and reinforced several times in the 14th and 15th centuries.  It is famous for its Rouge de Saint Hippolyte (Pinot Noir).

• Location: Rodern and Saint-Hippolyte
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite, Schist; quartz/potassium/feldspar-rich sandy granite and schist/sandy rubble at hilltop
• Vineyard: 23.4 ha (58.5 acres), faces SE, altitude 250-360 m (825-1,188 ft),
• Grapes: G, PG
• Sleeping Beauty: Koehly, Cave de Ribeauvillé
• Notable: once owned by the Convents of Saint Catherine

12: Pfaenzerreben, Silberberg, and Oberer Weingarten are the most prestigious

• Translation: to plant grapes/vines
• Location: east of the road between rorschwihr and Bergheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: clay-marl over limestone
• Vineyards: faces E

• Translation: Silver Mountain
• Location: Rorschwihr
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Silt and clay atop marly lilmestone
• Grapes: R

• Translation: top wine garden
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: clay, silt, oolitic limestone
• Vineyards: 6.3 ha (15.75 acres)
• Grapes: G
• Notable: Many prestigious owners (Pepin the Short 742, Louis the Pious 817, Hugues Capet 987, Henry V 1114)

True: Repopulated by Swiss, German, Hungarian, Austrian, and Romanian immigrants

• Location: Bergheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone; fossil-rich limestones and marls covered with limetone, stony and shallow
• Vineyard: 35.06 ha (87.7 acres), faces S, altitude 220-330 m (726-1,089 ft), steep slope
• Grapes: R, G, PG
• Established Star: Marcel Deiss, Gustave Lorentz, Sylvie Spielmann, Cave de Ribeauvillé
• Notable: Allows for field blends (as does Kaefferkopf)

• Location: Bergheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Clay and Gypsum; heavy clay rich in grey/black gypsum marls
• Vineyard: 3.23 ha (8 acres), faces S and SW, altitude 248 m (825ft), terraced
• Grapes: R, G,PG
• Sleeping Beauty: Gustave Lorentz, Sylvie Spielmann
• Notable: Knigts Templar owned a domain here

• Translation: Garden of Angels
• Location: Bergheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: gravelly, sandy loam
• Grapes: R

• 3 Grand Crus: Geisberg, Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé, Osterberg
• Notable: Spring Market, Kougelhopf Festival (May), Wine Fair (July), Fiddlers' Fair (September), Festival of Ancient Music (October), Medieval Christmas Market

• Location: Ribeauvillé
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Calcareous Marly Sandstone; muschelklk and dolomitic marls and sandstone/gypsum and limestone scree
• Vineyard: 8.53 ha (21 acres), faces , altitude m ( ft),
• Grapes: R
• Established Star: Robert Faller, André Kientzler, Kuentz-Bas
• Notable: Farmed since 1308

• Location: Ribeauvillé
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Calcareous Marly Sandstone; dolomitic sandstone and marls and pure muschelkalk limestone
• Vineyard: 11.4 ha (28.5 acres), faces S and SW, altitude 270-350 m (891-1,155 ft), steep slopes but not terraced
• Grapes: R, G, PG, M
• Established Star: Louis Sipp, Jean Sipp, Henry Fuchs, Cave de Ribeauvillé
• Notable: Mentioned in 1328

• Translation: Easter Mountain
• Location: Ribeauvillé
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marl (not one of the 13 soil types); marl-clay and muschelkalk/domomite limestone conglomerates
• Vineyard: 24.6 ha (61 acres), faces E and SE, altitude 250-350 m (825-1,155 ft),
• Grapes: R, G, PG
• Established Star: Domaine Agapé, Louis Sipp, Sipp-Mack, André Kientzler, Cave de Ribeauvillé
• Notable: owned by the nobles of Ribeaupierre in Middle Ages

• Translation: within Osterberg GC; Field of Zahn, Martin Zahn was a knight and monk
• Location: Ribeauvillé, below Haut-Koenigsbourg castle
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Clay-Limestone
• Vineyard: 49.6 ha (124 acres), faces SE
• Grapes: R, G, PG; harvested and fermented together
• Notable: 8th century origin, monopole La Cave de Ribeauvillé since 1965

• Location: Ribeauvillé
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite
• Vineyard: 1.23 ha (3 acres), faces SE, altitude 300 m (990 ft), 40% gradient slope so terraced
• Grapes: PG
• Notable: monopole Jean Sipp

• Translation: Rose Field or Heavy Soil (horses must plow vineyard)
• Location: Hunawihr
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Limestone; muschelkalk and dolomitic, rich in Ca and Mg
• Vineyard: 26.18 ha (65.5 acres), faces E and SE, altitude 260-330 m (858-1,089 ft),
• Grapes: R, G
• Born-Again: Domaine Agapé, Cave de Hunawihr, Mader, Mallo, Mittnacht-Klack, Sipp-Mack, Cave de Ribeauvillé
• Notable: First mentioned in 1483

• Location: Hunawihr; lower portion of Rosacker Grand Cru, physical wall does not exist
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Dolomite Limestone
• Vineyard: 1.67 ha (4.17 acres),faces S/SE
• Grapes: 50 year-old Riesling vines
• Notable: F.E. Trimback, monopole (for 200 years); Clos Sainte Hune trademarked in 2001, subject to regional AOC Alsace regulations

• Location: Hunawihr, a few hundred feet from Rosacker Grand Cru
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Muschelkalk limestone and clay
• Vineyard: 5.2 ha (13 acres), faces S and E, steep and terraced terrain
• Grapes: R, G, PG, Auxerrois, Chardonnay
• Producer: Zind-Humbrect, monopole
• Notable: dry whites, VT, SGN

• Perched on a hill, 285 m (940 ft), unlike most villages which nestle down low among the foothills
• 2 round defensive towers still stand
• Houses are close together and built with wine cellar in the basement and a wine press at street level; people dwell one story above street level

• Translation: Happy
• Location: Zellenberg
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Iron-rich Marly Clay (schist)
• Vineyard: 14.6 ha (36.5 acres), faces S and SE, altitude 270-300 m (891-990 ft),
• Grapes: G, PG, M
• Sleeping Beauty: Domaine Jean Becker, Maison Zimmer

• Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France"
• It's wine reputation has earned it the moniker "The Gem of Alsace"
• The Dolder, a 13th century gate, is an entrance to the village

• Translation: Nice Mountain
• Location: Riquewihr and Zellenberg
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Calcareous Marly Sandstone, Gypsum, Sandy Gravel; sandstone, sandy gravel, and muschelkalk above a gypsum-rich marl and dolomitic limestone
• Vineyard: 53.4 ha (133.5 acres), faces S and SE, altitude 265-380 m (874.5-1,254 ft), steep slope
• Grapes: R, PG, M
• Established Star: Meyer-Fonné, Dopff & Irion, Dopff au Moulin, Bott-Geyl, Marcel Deiss, Marc Tempé, Vincent Stoeffler, Cave de Hunawihr
• Notable: Famous in 16th century; VT, SGN

• Location: Riquewihr
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Stoney Marly Clay; phosphorus-rich
• Vineyard: 23.7 ha (57.7 acres), faces SE, altitude 275 m (907.5 ft),
• Grapes: G, PG
• Sleeping Beauty: Edgard Schaller, Meyer-Fonné, Dopff & Irion, Dopff au Moulin
• Notable: First mention in 1432

• Location: Beblenheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone, heavy and stony
• Vineyard: 32.8 ha (82 acres), faces SE, altitude 220-270 m (726-891 ft), morning sun
• Grapes: G, PG
• Established Star: Bott-Geyl, Cave de Beblenheim
• Notable: Reputation for excellence in 20th century

All but the lower parts of the bell tower of a medieval church was destroyed in WWII (Poche de Colmar battle) - the Nazi occupation is commemorated by red, white, and blue flowers during summer

• Translation: Almond Mountain (vines grown by almond trees)
• Location: Mittelwihr
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone
• Vineyard: 22 ha (55 acres), faces S and SE, altitude m ( ft), mountain blocks cold north winds
• Grapes: R (30%), G (40%), PG, M
• Sleeping Beauty: Bott-Geyl, J.P. Mauler, Ziegler-Mauler
• Notable: first cultivated by Romans, then Francs, Abbeys of Saint-Dié, Ebersmunster, and Munster; first appeared on label in 1925

• Bennwihr was destroyed like Mittelwihr in WWII. The vignerons formed a local co-operative after the war.
• Sigolsheim has a military cemetary commemorating the battle.

• Location: Bennwihr, opening of Kaysersberg Valley
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone; Dogger limestone-marl conglomerates
• Vineyard: 53.35 ha (113 acres), faces E and S, altitude 200-300 m (660-990 ft), very dry meso-climate specific to the Colmar area
• Grapes: G (reigns supreme), PG
• Born-Again: Laurent Barth, Michel Fonné, Martin Schaetzel, Bestheim

• Location: Sigolsheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone; limestone and magnesium-rich marls
• Vineyard: 61.85 ha (154.5 acres), faces S, altitude m ( ft),
• Grapes: R, G, PG, M
• Born-Again: Marc Tempé, Marcel Deiss, Maurice Schoech, Jean-Marc Bernhard, Domaine Weinback, Michel Fonné, Ringenback-Moser, Stirn
• Notable: records from 783 AD

• Walled city founded in the 8th century
• Hosts the Vine and Wine Museum
• Legend says Holy Roman Empire General Lazare von Schwendi brought back Tokay (Furmint) vine clipings and planted them on his Kientzheim estate -- even if true they were replaced by PG.

• Translation: Princely District
• Location: Kientzheim and Sigolsheim, heart of the Kaysersberg Valley
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Limestone
• Vineyard: 30.5 ha (76.25 acres), faces S and SE, steep slope optimizes sun exposure
• Grapes: R, G, PG
• Established Star: Bott-Geyl, Marc Tempé, André Blanck, Paul Blanck, Albert Mann, Domaine Weinbach
• Notable: First mentioned in 1330 belonging to the Convent of Basle

• Translation: Castle Mountain
• Location: Kaysersberg and Kientzheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite; decomposed so tremendous mineral wealth (Ca, Na, K, Mg, F, P)
• Vineyard: 80.28 ha (200 acres), faces S, altitude 230-350 m (759-1,155 ft), terraced
• Grapes: R, G, PG, M
• Established Star: Jean-Marc Bernhard, Albert Mann, Domaine Weinbach, Cave de Kientzheim-Kaysersberg, Vincent Spannagel
• Notable: First mentioned in 15th century

• Translation: High Mountain
• Location: Kientzheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soils: Clay and limestone
• Vineyard: 80.28 ha (200 acres), faces S, altitude 225-255 m (743-842 ft), middle of gently sloping hill
• Grapes: G (peach, apricot, tropical fruits, rose; needs 2-3 years age)

• Destroyed in WWII; now home to 50 producers
• Home to the latest Grand Cru

• Location: Ammerschwihr
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Ca- and Mg-rich topsoil atop granite and limestone (upper slope) and sandstone (lower slope)
• Vineyard: 71.65 ha (179 acres), faces E, gentle (10-20% grade) slope with only one section rising to 35%
• Grapes: R, G, PG, and field-blends
• Born-Again: Jean-Baptiste Adam, Maurice Schoech, Meyer-Fonné, Kuehn
• Notable: Like Altenberg de Bergheim, may bottle both varietal and blended wines

• Wineck castle of Schlossberg rises above it
• Church has signature white bell tower

• Location: Katzenthal
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite; decomposed granite with black and white mica
• Vineyard: 27.4 ha (68.5 acres), faces S and SE, altitude 280-400 m (924-1,320 ft)
• Grapes: R, G
• Born-Again: Jean-Marc Bernhard, Jean Paul Eckle, Meyer-Fonné, Paul Spannagel, Vincent Spannagel, Jean-Baptiste Adam, Paul Blanck
• Notable: First mentioned in 1706

• Separated from Katzenthal by the Sommerberg Grand Cru
• Main street lined with restaurants, wine producers, medieval houses, and Patisserie Ferber (mecca for jam lovers)

• Location: Niedermorschwihr and Katzenthal, foot of Trois-Epis ("3 ears") massif
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite; weathered granite over granite with black and white micas
• Vineyard: 28.36 ha (71 acres), faces S, altitude 400 m (1,320 ft), steep (45°)
• Grapes: R, G, PG, M
• Established Star: Albert Boxler, Domaine Schoffit, Claude Weinzorn, Cave de Turckheim, Paul Blanck
• Notable: Name in use since 17th century

• Largelly destroyed during WWII (Poche de Colmar - "pocket of Colmar").
• La Taverne Alsacienne restaurant has largest Alsace wine list in the world

• Location: Ingersheim and Katzenthal
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly Limestone; pebbly limestone-marl atop limestone
• Vineyard: 21 ha (52.5 acres), faces S and E, altitude 250-280 m (825-923 ft), "Colmar Ellipse" is very dry due to Vosges peaks to the west
• Grapes: R, G (majority), PG, M
• Sleeping Beauty: Cave Jean Geiler, Bruno Sorg, Claude Weinzorn
• Notable: prosperous since Middle Ages, praised by Earls of Lupfen and Baron Schwendi

• Translation: Behind the Mountain
• Location: Katzenthal
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Deep granite

• Translation: Last Mountain
• Location: Ingersheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: limestone hill with marl conglomerates and good sun exposure

• Surrounded by vines at the entrance to the Munster Valley
• Night Watchman makes his rounds at 10pm around Old Town, May to October

• Translation: Land of Fire (legend says sun battled and bested a dragon)
• Location: Turckheim, amphitheatre overlooking village
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite; mineral-rich weathered granitic sands peppered with black and white mica
• Vineyard: 57.95 ha (145 acres), faces S and SE, altitude 380 m (1,254 ft), good sun exposure
• Grapes: R, G, PG
• Established Star: Armand Hurst, Albert Boxler, Zind-Humbrecht, Josmeyer, Paul Buecher, Clause Weinzorn, Cave de Turckheim, Dopff au Moulin
• Notable: renown since the Middle Ages

• Location: Turckheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soils: Gypsum-rich Clay Marl and Limestone
• Vineyard: 1.2 ha (3 acres), faces S, steep, terraced
• Grapes: PG
• Producer: Zind-Humbrecht
• Notable: usually harvested with noble rot

• Translation: Home Mountain
• Location: Turckheim
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Marly limestone
• Vineyard: 7 ha (17.5 acres), faces W and S, steep (34% grade W, 50% grade S)
• Notable: often harvested with noble rot

• Location: Turckheim, alluvial plain of the Fecht River
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: gravelly, sandy, clay loess/loam

• Location: Wihr-au-Val, Munster Valley
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil:  ranite and Clay
• Grapes: G, PG

• Translation: Lords' Vines
• Location: Wihr-au-Val, Munster Valley
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: deep, decomposed granitic sands
• Vineyard: altitude 500 m (1,650 ft), one of the highest in Alsace
• Grapes: R, PN
• Notable: Belonged to the Lords of Ribeaupierre in the 15th century

• Translation: Lentil mountain
• Location: Wihr-au-Val, Munster Valley
• Zone: northern Haut-Rhin (3), Châtenois to Colmar
• Soil: Granite
• Grapes: R

• Grand Crus: 22
• Lieu-Dits: 21 (Rorschwihr has Pfaenzerreben, Silberberg, Oberer Weingarten and 9 more, Engelgarten, Altenbourg, Hinterbourg, Letzenberg, Heimbourg, Herrenweg, Holder, Herrenreben, Linsenberg)
• Clos: 5 (du Zahnacker, du Schlossberg/Clos Ribeaupierre, Sainte Hune, Windsbuhl, Jebsal)