The Alsace Wine Route is clearly the pioneer of our French wine circuits! Indeed, in 2019, it celebrated its 65th anniversary. Since 1953, several thousand wine lovers have been following the route that guides them through the Alsatian vineyard.
The steps of our Alsace Wine Route :
Historically, the Alsace Wine Route was created by the Tourist Office of the region to host an automobile rally. The route is punctuated by stopovers where participants meet winegrowers and taste their wines. Finally, Alsace is the cradle of wine tourism in France.
In a few figures, the Alsace Wine Route is a 170-kilometre route that goes through more than 70 municipalities. In total, you will have the opportunity to stop in more than 300 areas between Marlenheim and Thann. Fans of Grands Crus Alsaciens will be able to taste 49 of the 51 wines of this prestigious appellation during their circuit. In the middle of your Alsace Wine Route, the city of Colmar offers you a total immersion in the culture of the Far East: half-timbered houses, gingerbread and Riesling.
Among the main cities in Alsace that you can visit there is: Colmar, Sélestat, Lingolsheim and Molsheim.
Exclusively for you, wine lovers, discover the Alsace Wine Route made up of our winegrowers.
It is in this village located a few minutes from Strasbourg that you will make your first romantic encounter. Our first stop is at Yvan Zeyssolff, in Gertwiller! This small village of just over 1000 inhabitants, nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, is specialised in the production of gingerbread in France. Not only is it a city of gastronomy, but also a city of art; you cannot miss out on the Folie Marco Museum, where you can admire the beautiful collection of Alsatian decorative art.
As for wine, the Zeyssolff winery takes care of everything. Founded in 1778, it is one of the oldest wine producers in the region. Yvan can introduce you to Alsace with a wide range of visits and tastings: from simple tastings to visits in the cellar, along with agreement of dishes and wines with an Alsatian tourte.
Head south towards Bergheim. After a few kilometers, you will discover this charming medieval town which, along with Gertwiller, is a flagship stage of Alsatian wine tourism. You will have the opportunity to feel like a knight by visiting one of the many fortified castles such as Château Saint-Ulrich, Château du Girsberg or Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre. Often located at the top of the hillsides, one notices particularly well from the alleys of Bergheim, that these castles watch over the wineries of the surroundings.
After a short tour of the city, go to the Gustave Lorentz winery, which is not to be missed under any circumstances. In all simplicity, Georges, the winemaker, welcomes you to his home for a tasting of his wines: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinots Gris and Noir. You will find all the terroir of Alsace within wines of freshness, subtlety and pleasure. With or without a visit to the cellar, you will be entitled to enjoy a special wine tasting!
Still heading south towards Colmar, let’s take a moment to explore the city of Ammerschwihr, located next to the great Kaysersberg. Here, it is Christophe and Nathalie who welcome you in their family winery. They have been cultivating their vineyards located next to Kaysersberg for 4 generations: a city full of charm recently re-entered in the closed circle of the “chosen villages preferred by the French”. Don’t miss out on one of the city centre’s delicious restaurants or the renowned quality hotel industry.
At Christophe and Nathalie Freyburger, we simply taste the wines, as well as visit the cellar and the estate on request. It will be an opportunity for you to discover a field led by organic agriculture and the methods used there to work the vine. For gourmets, the winemaker couple offers a tasting with chocolate and wine pairings!
After visiting Colmar, off to Eguisheim, a great name of Alsatian wine production. Here, you will find the Ehrhart family which has cultivated some twenty hectares of vineyards since 1725. Eguisheim actually collects awards; in fact, it has been elected as the favorite village of the French and one of the most beautiful villages of France. So let yourself be tempted by a stroll in the city center between half-timbered houses and floral compositions.
Located on the edge of this Alsatian nugget, Corinne will show you her family estate through a visit to its cellars and a tasting of its range of wines. For local gastronomy lovers, you could try out Kougelhopf: the traditional Alsatian cuisine by excellence that will perfectly match the fruity wines of the house. Over a drink, Corinne will explain how she converted her vineyard into organic farming.
Let’s continue our Alsace Wine Route to the village of Pfaffenheim, where Paul and Thomas settled at Domaine Rieflé-Landmann. After enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of this region on these enchanting roads, you will discover Pfaffenheim: an Alsatian haven of peace. In the middle of the forest, this small, typical village of the region will delight nature lovers. Once you have visited the small town, do not miss out on one of the wine institutions of the region.
Paul and Thomas will make you discover their estate in all of its seams: from the vine, to the wineries passing through the tank room and the cellars of breeding. As a couple, as a group or as a family, you will be entitled to enjoy a wine tasting of the wines of the estate for your greatest pleasure. If you are looking for fresh air, opt for the winery’s flagship activity: Vélo'vignes. Over half a day, cycle through the vineyards and discover how the family works their land on a daily basis, with informative panels spread all over the estate.
Last stop, off to Orschwihr to meet Elise at the Cave Materne Haegelin. Between Colmar and Mulhouse, this small Alsatian town named Orschwihr ends our Alsatian Wine Route in style. At the bend of its charming city centre, follow the banks of the Quirrenbach: if the sun is out, you will fall in love with this atypical place.
In Orschwihr, Elise and her family welcome you all year round for a tasting of the wines of the estate … under the banner of femininity. With a visit of the cellar and its impressive tanks, you will know all about the wines of your winegrower encounter!
In a few figures, the Alsace Wine Route is a real tourist destination. It is a 170-kilometre route crossing more than 70 towns and villages from Haut-Rhin to Bas-Rhin through the hills. A nice marathon of Alsatian wine-growing towns since out of the 119 registered, there are 67 of them along the Alsatian Wine Route.
