France
Alsace
al-SASS
A single hillside of villages. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer. The labels say the grape.
Map
- When to go
- May–June and September–October. December villages are for lights, not for a quiet tasting.
- Grapes
- Riesling · Pinot Gris · Gewürztraminer
Tasting rooms
Caveaux in the villages. Book the good growers. Two villages is a day. The wine route is not a checklist.
Trimbach
Ribeauvillé
BookTrimbach
Dry Riesling, long-lived. The house that taught people Alsace could be severe.
Book. Ask for a dry Riesling, not a late-harvest flight.
Riesling · Trimbach
Hugel
Riquewihr
BookHugel
The village postcard and a cellar that receives people.
Book. Walk Riquewihr after, not before three more tastings.
Riesling · Gewürztraminer · Hugel
Domaine Weinbach
Kaysersberg
BookDomaine Weinbach
Clos des Capucins. Precise, and not a gift shop.
Appointment. Small.
Riesling · Pinot Gris · Domaine Weinbach
Zind-Humbrecht
Turckheim
BookZind-Humbrecht
Biodynamic, site by site. The wines are why sommeliers care.
Write ahead. If the door is shut, order a bottle in Colmar.
Riesling · Pinot Gris · Zind-Humbrecht
Marcel Deiss
Bergheim
BookMarcel Deiss
Field blends when Alsace usually separates the grapes. A different argument.
Appointment. Bergheim is the stop.
Riesling · Pinot Gris · Marcel Deiss
Itinerary
Colmar, then two villages
2 days
Sleep in Colmar. Drive the hills. Don't collect stamps.
Day 1
Trimbach or Hugel
One house. Lunch. Walk.
Day 2
Weinbach or Zind-Humbrecht
One grower. Then stop.
Vendanges tardives is dessert. Don't judge Alsace by the sweet bottle.
Business inquiries
Have a room in Alsace?
Featured placement, your booking link, ninety days. Drinkers stay free.
Business inquiries