During the Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen, we spent 2 nights in Alsace (in Kaysersberg) and visited 5 wine producers:
Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim. See: Tasting at Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé. See: Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller
Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, with Jean Frédéric Hugel
Maison Jülg in Seebach, with Peter Jülg
Domaines Schlumberger is in the process of a major renovation project, including building a large, modern tasting room. We toured the winery and then sat down for a tasting.
Domaines Schlumberger
Domaines Schlumberger stretches on the sloping hills of the Alsace region, where the family’s winemaking tradition started in the early 19th century. Today, the family’s seventh generation retains its heritage – including hundred-year-old oak casks – and uses modern techniques and sustainable viticulture to produce some of the finest Alsatian varieties available. Domaines Schlumberger is the largest privately-owned estate in Alsace and is the largest Grand Crus producer in the region.
While many growers left their properties in the late 19th century for industrial and commercial ventures, the Schlumbergers expanded their estate by purchasing surrounding parcels. Today, they still own and operate the estate, with seventh-generation family members balancing tradition and modern winemaking practices to produce wines worthy of their appellations. When her father retired, Séverine Beydon-Schlumberger took over the family business and immersed herself in the world of wine, learning everything from market trends to wine distribution. Her brother Thomas joined her in 2010 as the export manager, and today serves as Domaines Schlumberger’s CEO.
Vineyards
Domaines Schlumberger: Located on the dizzy heights of the hills of Guebwiller, in southern Alsace, with slopes reaching 50° and at an altitude going from 250 to 390 metres, our mountain-side vineyard is surely one of the most breathtaking in Alsace.
The steep slopes, combined with the dry climate, account for lower production levels than typical vineyards in Alsace, amounting to around 80,000 cases a year. In addition to a smaller yield, the vineyard’s topography, causing natural erosion to the sandy soils, has required skilled masons to build dry stone walls around the terraced vines.
We are 100 % estate winegrowers. we vinify exclusively our own harvest. We buy neither grapes, nor juice, nor wines.
The vineyards total 140 hectares, half of which are classified as Grands Crus . Guebwiller is the only spot in Alsace with 4 Grands Crus. The Alsace AOC Grand Cru Appellation consists of the 51 best Alsatian terroirs.
Kitterlé, for one, consists of volcanic sandstone.
Kessler, tucked behind a hill, has a sandy soil. Slipping down the mountain side and shaped like a ring,
Saering is all limestone.
Last but not least, Spiegel’s sandy soil covers a malry-sandstone base that stretches over a hillside.
Schlumberger in Few Lines (Domaines Schlumberger)
Domaines Schlumberger: We are estate winegrowers who exclusively harvest and produce our own wines. We do not buy any grapes nor juice or wine (Alsatians winegrowers represents only 22% of the regional production).
A family vineyard established since 1810, nowadays, we are two generations working side by side for a better handover; Alain Beydon-Schlumberger, 6th generation, Séverine and Thomas Schlumberger, 7th generation.
This vineyard is unique in Alsace : 140 hectares with 70 hectares classified as Grands Crus composed of 4 “terroirs” : Kitterlé, Kessler, Saering, Spiegel.
An exeptional location. Situated on the steep hillsides of the Vosges, the vineyard benefits from the best exposures (southwest, south, southeast); its slopes can reach 50°.
Because of the Vineyard’s topography and the soil composition we have much lower yields than the average yield of other winegrowers in the region : 45 hl/ha for the entire Domaine.
A craft work that respects environment. Even today, we plough and work with the 4 horses owned by the Domaine. All year long, a team of 4 highly 4 highly masons mend and maintain the 50 kms of walls. We also respect sustained farming (we signed the Tyflo Charter in 2003). 30 hectares are in biodynamic farming, to ensure great, quality wines for the future generations.
A targeted distribution. You will not find our wines in supermarkets but only in the best restaurants and good cellars. 65 % of our wines are exported throughout the world.
The Domaines Schlumberg Portfolio
Les Princes Abbés: The classic range is called "Les Princes Abbes" in homage to the Princes Abbots who have maintained and made their vineyard of Guebwiller thrive for 1,000 years.
Les Grands Crus: The jewels of the Domaines Schlumberger; the Grands Crus offer 3 varieties: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer.
The grand cru classification was done in 1983 by the “Institut National des Appellations d’Origine” (INAO). Initially, only 25 Grands Crus existed, including the 4 of Guebwiller; 25 other Grands Crus were classified in 1992.
Les Cuvées de Collection: Coming from Late Harvest or from Selection de Grains Nobles (noble roots), these wines are only produced in exceptional years.
Tasting
2013 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbés
Sur lee aged 6 to 8 months. Held in stainless steel for 12 to 18 months. Residual sugar: 2,2 grs/l
Yellow with green reflections in the glass, earthy notes with a hint of fruitiness on the nose, medium intensity on the palate with notes of candied fruits, quince, a hint of bitterness on the finish with a nice length.
2014 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Saering
Sur lee aged 8 months. Residual sugar: 3,9 grs/l
Lemon yellow in the glass with green reflections, attack of citrus fruits, candied lemon on the nose, coupled with floral hints, on the palate, aromas of lemon peel, spicy ginger, long finish.
2009 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Kessler
2012 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Kitterle
2016 Domaines Schlumberger Muscat Les Princes Abbés
2013 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Grand Cru Spiegel
100% Pinot Gris. Sur lee aged 8 month. Residual sugar: 10.5 grs/l
Light yellow with straw reflections in the glass, earthy scents and a hint of fruitiness on the nose, good structure, flavors of quince, white flesh fruit and a hint of lemon on the palate, good acidity.
2010 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Gand Cru Kitterle
schiller-wine: All Postings (Published and Forthcoming): Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner/ Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
La Cucina della Passione and Weingut Schloss Neuweier Wines: Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Music of the A Cappella Ensemble "Männer und Tenöre" and the Wines of Weingut Aufricht, Lake Constance, Baden, with Manfred Aufricht - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany– The Case of the Lake Constance Region
Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate
Visit of Schloss Salem, Kirche Birnau and Weingut Markgraf von Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
The Wines of the Markgräflerland (Baden): Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Löffler - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Stigler, Baden, with Andreas, Regina and Max Stigler - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, 1 Star Michelin, Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany
The World Class Wines of Alsace
In the world class white wine region Alsace
Tasting at Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch in Alsace: Wistube du Sommelier in Bergheim and L’Epicurien in Colmar - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Hugel & Fils in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel
Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant L’Achémille in Kaysersberg, with Owner/ Chef Jérome Jaegle
Wine Lunch at Weingut Jülg with Johannes Jülg– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany
Tasting at Maison Jülg in Seebach, Alsace, with Peter Jülg
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Valentin Rebholz and Stephanie Wagner
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Münzberg – Lothar Kesseler & Söhne in Landau-Godramstein, Pfalz, with Friedrich and Gunter Kesseler
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rings in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Andi Rings
Tasting at Weingut Krebs in Freinsheim, Pfalz, with Jürgen Krebs
Tasting at Sekthaus Raumland in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rheinhessen, with Heide-Rose and Volker Raumland
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Cellar Tourvisit and Tasting at Weingut Gröbe in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Fritz Gröbe
Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Louis Guntrum in Nierstein, Rheinhessen, with Konstantin and Stephanie Guntrum