The Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim took place from 19 to 23 June. 37 members of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim participated in it. The tour was organized and led by Annette Schiller, a founder of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim and founder, owner and CEO of ombiasy WineTours. Unlike Annette's ombiasy tours, this tour was in German (and not in English) and a large group (and not a small group of a maximum of 10 people).
We got on a big bus at 7:00 in Hochheim / Rheingau on Wednesday, 19 June, and arrived back in Hochheim 5 days later. On the tour we visited 7 wineries and a cheese dairy.
This posting is the English versions of an earlier posting in German:
Elsass Tour 2019 mit dem Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, Frankreich
DAY 1: Wednesday, June 19
07:00 Departure in Hochheim, Weinprobierstand, Alleestrasse, Am Weiher
09.00 Breakfast: Weck, Worscht und Woi.
Wine: Muscat d'Alsace from Maison Peter Jülg in Seebach, Alsace. Peter Jülg is the brother of Werner Jülg and uncle of Johannes Jülg, Weingut Jülg from Schweigen-Rechtenbach, Pflaz.
See also: Tasting at Maison Jülg in Seebach, Alsace, with Peter Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
11.00 Visit of Domaine Mélanie Pfister in Dahlenheim.
Mélanie Pfister was our host.
Mélanie Pfister is the 8th generation and the first woman at the head of Domaine Pfister. She completed training in Bordeaux and studied oenology in Dijon, before she returned to Dahlenberg. She uses her knowledge and diverse experience to produce top-class wines. Due to its proximity to Strasbourg - only 20 km to the west - the village Dahlenheim has an exceptional wine-growing heritage. Dahlenheim served as the "wine cellar" for the Catholic Church in Strasbourg: for the Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg and for the abbeys in the region, some of which also produced wine themselves. The monks traveled a lot and brought new grape varieties to Dahlenheim. As early as the 13th century, it was stated that "noble wine" was produced here. Already in 1780 the name Nicolas Pfister was registered. He lived in Dahlenheim as a "bourgeois winemaker" - one of the few non-ecclesiastical winegrowing enterprises - in the still existing farm buildings.
See also: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pfister in Dahlenheim, Alsace, with Melanie Pfister - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
13.15 Lunch at „Le Scharrach“ in Scharrachbergheim.
16:00 Visit of Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau.
Rémy Gresser was our host.
Andlau is halfway between Strasbourg and Colmar at the foot of Mount Sainte Odile, whose prestigious slopes produce first-class wines. Domaine Rémy Gresser has a long history. As early as 1520, the annals of Andlau mentioned Thiébaut Gresser, winemaker and magistrate of Andlau, which proves the family's attachment to viticulture. Since then, the domaine has changed from father to son. Rémy Gresser now cultivates 10 hectares of vineyards. Tradition and nature are very important to him and that's why he works in a bio-dynamic way. His wines are pronounced terroir expressive and elegant.
18.30 Arrival and Check-in at Hotel A l’Ami Fritz in Ottrott.
19.30 3-course Dinner at Restaurant A l’Ami Fritz.
See also: Hotel and Restaurant L’Ami Fritz and Domaine Fritz-Schmitt, both in Ottrot, Alsace, France
DAY 2: Thursday, June 20
09.00 Check-out.
09.15 Departure
10:00 Visit of Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr.
Pierre Gassmann was our host.
The Domaine Rolly-Gassmann was created in 1967 with the marriage of Marie-Thérèse Rolly and Louis Gassmann. Domaine Rolly-Gassmann is not new to Alsatian viticulture. The Gassmanns can trace their viticultural roots back to 1611 and the Rolly family to 1676. Today, the winery is led by son Pierre Gassmann, who started in 1997 with the conversion to bio-dynamic viticulture. In and around Rorschwihr there are no grand cru vineyard locations, but the locations are consistently of high quality. The style of Rolly Gassmann wines is opulent, luscious, ripe and very often with a bit of residual sugar. The philosophy of the domaine is to wait with some botrytis for the physiological and phenolic maturity of the fruit. 10% of their production is Pinot Noir, and their Pinot Noir is one of the best Alsace has to offer.
See also: Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
13.15 Lunch at „Au Fief du Château “ in Orschwiller.
15.40 Visit of „Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg“ in Orschwiller.
Nine centuries of history. Towering at almost 800 metres, Haut-Koenigsbourg boasts an exceptional panoramic view. From the Grand Bastion, you can see the Alsace plain, the Vosges, the Black Forest and on a clear day, the Alps. Built in the 12th century, the castle bore witness to nine centuries of European conflicts and rivalries between feudal lords, kings and emperors. At the turn of the twentieth century, the German Emperor Wilhelm II decided to renovate the former castle, that was besieged, destroyed and finally abandoned during the Thirty Years' War. The restoration works, notable for their size and modern approach, took only eight years. Haut-Koenigsbourg, restored to its former glory, opened its doors once again in 1908.
17:15 Visit of the „Confrérie Saint-Etienne d’Alsace“ in Kientzheim.
The origins of the Confrérie Saint- Étienne d’Alsace date back to the 14th century. Every December 26, the name day of Saint Étienne, the society of Ammerschwihr notables near Colmar, with one of the major roles being the strict surveillance of its wine quality, gathered together for its annual feast. The splendour and magnificence of this event were such that the population took the habit of calling our society theConfrérie Saint Etienne. Spurred on by a group of Alsace wine-makers and friends, lead by Joseph DREYER, the Registrar-founder, it was revived in its current form in 1947 with the aim of having people discover and love Alsace wines!
In 1973, it created its headquarters at the Kientzheim Castle, near Kaysersberg.
The Charter – Article 1 of the rules: You cannot belong to the Confrérie de Saint-Étienne if you don’t like having fun, good food and Alsace wines. Nevertheless, your potential admission can only be pronounced upon the motivated recommendation of a duly-authorised brother and after approval by the Grand Council. The latter with will demand the postulant undergo some admission-specific wine tests...
19.00 Arrival and Check-in at Hotel Les Remparts in Kaysersberg.
20.00 3-Course Dinner at Restaurant Au Lion d’Or in Kaysersberg.
Day 3: Friday, June 21
09:00 Departure.
10.00 Visit of the Cheese Factory “Ferme du Versant du Soleil” in Hohrod.
We visited a traditional farm with cheese factory. The Lau family has been cultivating the farm for generations and produces Munsterkäse and Bergkäse, which are refined and stored in their own vaulted cellars. We were introduced to the secrets of cheese making and tasted the cheese with a glass of Alsatian Gewürztraminer.
12.30 Lunch at “Auberge du Lac Noir” in Orbey.
15.30 Visit of Domaine Hugel et Fils in Riquewihr.
Marc-André Hugel was our host. Senior Boss André Hugel joined us for a few minutes after his lunch.
Hugel is one of the major producers of Alsace wine, and has been an important force in the Alsace wine industry in its developments during the second half of the 20th century. For over 370 years and with 13-family generations the Hugel family has unrivaled experience and knowledge of Alsace vineyards and winemaking. Known today for their passion and modern outlook, the dynamic Hugel family, located in the picture-postcard fortified village of Riquewihr, has earned a worldwide reputation for their Alsace wines.
See also: Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
18.00 Back at Hotel Les Remparts in Kaysersberg.
There was a little time until dinner. The recommendation of Annette Schiller: Dive into the incredibly beautiful village Kaysersberg. It is also the birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, theologian, organist, philosopher and physician, who is best known for his work in the hospital in Lambarene, Gabon, and as a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Take a look at the traditional Alsatian pottery or wander through the vineyards to the ruins of the Kaysersberg Fortress.
20.00 Dinner at Brasserie Chez Roger Hassenforder.
Day 4: Saturday, June 22
09.00 Departure from Hotel.
09:45 Visit of Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Issenheim.
Jean-Pierre Dirler and his Daughter-in-law Ludivine Cadé were our hosts.
This winery exists since 1871. It came into existence in its current form when Jean Dirler, 5th generation of the Dirler family, married Ludivine, daughter of Leon and Nicole Hell-Cadé, winegrowers in neighboring Guebwiller. In 2000 Ludevine’s parents plots of vines were integrated into the Dirler estate and the domaine was renamed Dirler-Cadé.
See also: Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé with Jean Pierre Dirler and Ludevine Dirler-Cadé - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
12.15 Lunch at Restaurant Gastronomique Philipp Bohrer in Rouffach.
14.45 Visit of Domaine Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim.
Annick Rieflé was our host.
Viticulture has been a Rieflé family affair for 6 generations, since 1850. From the 1980s, Annick and Jean-Claude Rieflé were at the helm. They were joined at the domaine by their sons, Thomas and Paul, in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Thomas manages the vineyard and Paul is in charge of sales and marketing. Recently, the Rieflé family took over the vineyards of Seppi Landmann and renamed the estate to Domaine Rieflé-Landmann. The vineyard area totals 23 hectares, including a plot in the Grand Cru vineyard Steinert.
See also:
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim, Alsace, with Paul Rieflé - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Winemaker Dinner with Jean-Claude Rieflé of Domaine Rieflé-Landmann, Alsace, at Bart Vandaele's Belga Café on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA/ Alsace
17.15 Back at Hotel Les Remparts in Kaysersberg.
The evening was free. Dinner on your own. The evening was unexpectedly very interesting because the Fête de la Musique was held in Kaysersberg in 2019 and on this evening.
Day 5: Sunday, June 23
09.00 Check-out.
09.15 Departure
10.00 Colmar City Tour.
Like all of Alsace, Colmar has been German and French at various times throughout history. Before that, the region belonged to the Roman Empire. As a result the city is full of ancient treasures, which saved it from destruction during World War II. Even the bad guys couldn’t bring themselves to bomb the half-timbered houses and historically significant buildings.
12.00 We left Alsace and crossed the Rhine to visit a German winemaker on the right bank of the Rhine, at the foot of the Black Forest, in the Kaiserstuhl area. This was a wonderful opportunity to compare directly Alsatian and German wines.
13.00 Tasting and Lunch at Weingut Kilian Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg.
Martina Hunn was our host.
Weingut Hunn is in Gottenheim in the Tuniberg area in Baden. It is run by Kilian Hunn and his wife Martina. The vineyard area totals 16 hectares, mostly in the Gottenheimer Kirchberg. They are planted with the varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Kilian and Martina Hunn – once the wine queen of Baden - are both passionate winemakers. The Tuniberg and Kaiserstuhl regions are very warm wine regions with the most sun shine hours in Germany. The Mediterranean climate offers ideal growing conditions for the Burgundy grape. Three quarters of total vineyard area are panted with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.
In the vineyard, Kilian and Martina Hunnfollow the philosophy of environmentally friendly viticulture. In the cellar, the red wines are aged in large oak barrels and partly in barriques. The white wines are fermented slowly and cool in steel tanks. The wines are fermented to full dryness.
Kilian and Martina Hunn produce powerful wines with finesse and grace that perfectly reflect the limestone soils and climate of the Tuniberg.
See also: Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, Baden, with Kilian and Martina Hunn - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
16:00 Departure
20.00 Arrival in Hochheim.
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Announcement: ombiasy WineTours in 2019 - Germany-North and Bordeaux
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017
UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: August 1, 2019)
A Visit of the Vineyards of Alsace– Presented by Annette Schiller at the John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society, USA/ France
Germany meets France: Bourgogne, Baden, Alsace and Pfalz - Tasting with the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), led by Annette Schiller, USA/ France/ Germany
The World Class Wines of Alsace
In the world class white wine region Alsace
schiller-wine: Related Postings - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France (Published and Forthcoming Postings)
Elsass Tour 2019 mit dem Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, Frankreich
Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Tasting at Maison Jülg in Seebach, Alsace, with Peter Jülg - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pfister, Alsace, with Mélanie Pfister - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Tasting at Domaine Rémy Gresser in Andlau, with Rémy Gresser - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Dinner and Overnight-stay at Hotel-Restaurant A l’Ami Fritz in Ottrott - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Marc-André Hugel and Senior Boss André Hugel - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Issenheim, with Jean-Pierre Dirler and Ludivine Cadé - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Lunch at Restaurant Philipp Bohrer in Rouffach - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domäne Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim, with Annick Rieflé - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim, Alsace, with Paul Rieflé - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Winemaker Dinner with Jean-Claude Rieflé of Domaine Rieflé-Landmann, Alsace, at Bart Vandaele's Belga Café on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA/ Alsace
Lunch and Tasting at Weingut Kilian Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, with Martina Hunn - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France
Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, Baden, with Kilian and Martina Hunn - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen
Eating Well in Alsace - Alsace Tour 2019 with the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, France