Winemaker Notes
Agathe is extremely pernickety and all aspects of the work in the vineyard is done by hand with love (as well as the harvest). She has a profound respect for the land, the terroir and her vines which she nurtures along the lines of biodynamy. She likes her vineyard to be permanently in ‘good health’ and uses herbal teas (nettles, etc..) as remedies. All cuvees other than the Grand Cru's which see limited time in barrel, are fermented in stainless steel.
Two large fault- lines cut at right angles through the commune of Westhalten : the fault-line of Marbach and that of Ohmbach. The valleys which they formed are individualized by the hillsides of Bollenberg, of Strangenberg and all of Zinnkoepflé-Hohberg From the fault-line of Marbach several smaller fault-lines delimit the Zinnkoepflé from other lieux-dits such as Hohberg, Lutzelberg or Dirstelberg. On the latter are planted parcels of Pinot Gris,Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Its soil is Voltzia sandstone formed at the beginning of the second epoch.
Gewürztraminer, an expressive and aromatically distinctive white grape variety, is considered a noble variety in the Alsace region of France, and produces wonderful wines in the mountainous Alto Adige region of NE Italy. Generally this grape grows well in cooler regions and its natural intensity makes it a great ally for flavorful cuisine such as Indian, Middle Eastern or Moroccan. Somm Secret—Because of a charming perfume and tendency towards slight sweetness, Gewürztraminer makes for an excellent gateway wine for those who love sweet wines but want to venture into the realm of drier whites.
Small but mighty, this picturesque region in northeastern France is renowned for its white wines produced by passionate families whose winemaking roots span generations and even centuries. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace benefits from a sunny, dry climate and a long growing season. It is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world — one of the many reasons why Alsace rocks!
Alsace wines include dry, mineral-driven Riesling, earthy Pinot Gris, refreshing Pinot Blanc, exuberant Gewurztraminer, elegant Pinot Noir, and more. From traditional-method sparkling wines to easy-drinking AOC Alsace, to complex Grand Cru bottlings from 51 distinct sites, and rich, late harvest wines, Alsace produces a wine for every occasion. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and are labeled with the grape name. The region is also one of the greenest wine-producing areas in France, with 36% of its vineyard area certified organic.
Riesling, the region’s calling card, is dry, fresh and floral in its youth, developing complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Pinot Blanc is an affable food partner or porch sipper. Pinot Noir, the only red grape in AOC Alsace, is now authorized in three Grand Cru areas and is also used for Crémant d’Alsace sparkling rosé. Any bottle you choose will offer deliciousness, pleasure and value that is unprecedented in other wine regions.