Winegrowers and tastings
The gîte is a former winegrower's house at the foot of the Mambourg grand cru. The cellars are a few steps away; the three grands crus of the commune, less than three kilometres; and the winegrowers are the kind who pour for you themselves.
- 3grands crus around the gîte
- 7Alsace grape varieties to taste
- On footthe cellars of Sigolsheim
- 3 kmBurghart-Spettel estate
The grands crus around the gîte
The Mambourg, just above the village, is one of the oldest slopes in Alsace: south-facing and limestone, it gives powerful gewurztraminers and pinot gris. The Furstentum, between Sigolsheim and Kientzheim, and the Schlossberg, between Kientzheim and Kaysersberg — the first grand cru classified in Alsace, in 1975 — complete the trio, less than three kilometres from the gîte.
The seven Alsatian grape varieties can be tasted everywhere: riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, muscat, pinot blanc, sylvaner and pinot noir, plus crémant d'Alsace. The vineyard trail that starts from the village explains the terroirs panel by panel.
The cellar tour
Our favourite route, over a day or several evenings: the cellars of Sigolsheim, on foot from the gîte; Kientzheim (2 km), with its ramparts and castle courtyard; Kaysersberg (3 km); Mittelwihr and Bennwihr (3 km); then Riquewihr (5 km), where the cellars line the main street.
Tasting is free or nearly so at family estates; custom has it that you leave with a few bottles. Cellars generally open Monday to Saturday, often on Sunday by appointment: call the day before. Between Sigolsheim, Kientzheim and Kaysersberg, the vineyard path lets you do the tour without a car.
The Kaysersberg valley tourist office runs guided "from vine to glass" tours and gourmet walks in Sigolsheim: ask us for the season's programme.
The Burghart-Spettel estate, in Mittelwihr
3 km from the gîte, on the Wine Route in Mittelwihr, the family-run Burghart-Spettel estate farms about 25 hectares across seven villages, with plots in three grands crus, and also distils the fruit of its orchard. Tasting and sales at the estate.
Every year the estate holds an open day: a free tasting of its many wines, with tarte flambée and background music. At the end, those who enjoyed the wines can place an order, with no obligation. The date changes from year to year: check with the estate, or ask us, before choosing your dates.
Harvest, wine festivals and Christmas cellars
From mid-September to mid-October the harvest brings the slopes to life and the villages smell of must; some estates take on pickers for a day. In summer, every village on the Wine Route has its wine festival, with the winegrowers on the square.
During Advent the valley's winegrowers open their "Christmas cellars": bredele, mulled wine, workshops and quizzes over a glass — a chance to taste in peace, away from the market crowds.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health; drink in moderation. Think of the driver, or do the tour on foot.