Wine estate Weinbach

A monastery turned Grand Cru jewel in Alsace

Domaine Weinbach is part of a centuries-old history that began long before its contemporary success. In 1612, Capuchin monks built their monastery at the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, overlooking the Kaysersberg valley in Alsace. They planted vines there, aware of the exceptional potential of these light-filled granite slopes. The name Weinbach comes from the small stream that runs through the vineyard, literally meaning "wine stream".

After the French Revolution, the vineyards changed hands, but the soul of the place remained intact. In 1898, the Faller family took up the torch. Under the impetus of Théo Faller, a visionary and emblematic figure in Alsace winegrowing, Domaine Weinbach gained a reputation in the 20th century for the elegance and precision of its wines. A great defender of the appellations, Théo Faller actively campaigned for the recognition of terroirs as Grand Cru. Following his death in 1979, his wife Colette, accompanied by their daughters Catherine and Laurence, took over the reins of the wine estate.

Faithful to an Alsatian tradition that believes the best is just good enough, the "Capucines" fervently followed in their elders' footsteps, aiming for perfection and the best product. The trio has left a lasting mark on the face of the estate, transforming it into a symbol of constancy and purity in the landscape of Alsace's great wines, including internationally.

Today, Catherine Faller, supported by her sons Eddy and Théo, continues the adventure. Heir to an ancestral tradition, Catherine embodies continuity as much as openness to the future, guided by the conviction that each vintage must reflect the identity of the terroir and the soul of Weinbach.

Exceptional terroirs enhanced by biodynamic viticulture

Domaine Weinbach today covers almost 30 hectares, including some of Alsace's most prestigious parcels. The Clos des Capucins, with its 5 hectares surrounding the former monastery, is one of the most important vineyards. Sheltered from the wind, bathed in a favorable microclimate and set on alluvial soils rich in granitic sands, this historic terroir produces luminous, straightforward and delicate wines. Above it rises the hill of Grand Cru Schlossberg, the first terroir classified in Alsace in 1975. Its steep slopes, culminating between 230 and 400 meters above sea level, rest on a granite bedrock that gives Riesling an airy, taut expression of rare minerality.

Between Kientzheim and Sigolsheim lies the Furstentum Grand Cru. Between 300 and 400 meters above sea level, its particularly steep marl-limestone-sandstone slopes enjoy ideal southern exposure. This warm, well-drained terroir favors slow ripening, ideal for Gewurztraminer, which expresses aromatic intensity and great ageing potential.

Down below is the Altenbourg vineyard, with its more sheltered microclimate and earlier ripening. Here, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer give birth to opulently rich wines, often marked by a beautiful natural sweetness, particularly in the great Gewurztraminer vintages.

Opposite Furstentum, Grand Cru Mambourg dominates the hills of Sigolsheim. This terroir, one of the sunniest in Alsace, benefits from full southern exposure and marl-limestone soils. The accumulated heat gives the grapes a full, concentrated expression, particularly in the Gewurztraminer, which reveals here a rare aromatic complexity and power, balanced by a preserved mineral freshness.

To the south of the Kaysersberg valley, the Grand Cru Marckrain spreads its slopes to the east and south-east at an altitude of almost 300 metres. Its marly-limestone soils with oolitic limestone pebbles enable relatively early ripening, producing powerful, structured and highly aromatic wines, making it a renowned terroir for Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.

To make the most of Domaine Weinbach's exceptional heritage, Catherine Faller embarked on a gradual transition toorganic farming in 1998, while at the same time experimenting with biodynamic principles in part of the vineyard. This comparative approach revealed the extra depth and vitality that biodynamic viticulture brought to the grapes. On the strength of this experience, Catherine Faller decided to convert the entire wine estate to biodynamic viticulture with the 2005 vintage.

For the past twenty years, the soils have been cultivated without herbicides and maintained by gentle ploughing to encourage microbial life. Biodynamic preparations, applied according to the rhythm of the seasons and plants, reinforce the vigor of the vines and the resonance of the terroir. Yields are deliberately controlled to favor the natural concentration of the fruit. Each plot is harvested exclusively by hand, guaranteeing rigorous selection and absolute respect for the grapes. This patient and demanding philosophy has a single objective: to obtain grapes that faithfully reflect the unique identity of the terroirs of Schlossberg, Furstentum, Mambourg, Marckrain and Altenbourg.

The Faller family's philosophy of care and precision continues in the cellar. The grapes are gently pressed to extract the juice without damaging the aromas. Fermentations are carried out exclusively with the indigenous yeasts present on the berries, in large old oak tuns, to allow a fine and faithful expression of the soils and grape varieties without superfluous intervention. Maceration of the reds is long and controlled, with regular monitoring of temperature and extraction to achieve both structure and elegance. White wines benefit from prolonged ageing on fine lees to bring tension and texture, while respecting their minerality and freshness.

From cellar to bottle: a philosophy of precision

Whether for varietal wines or blended cuvées, the emphasis is on purity and aromatic expression: this is the hallmark of Domaine Weinbach. Like the cuvée Les Vignes du Prêcheur, which draws its richness from the subtle harmony between Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Sylvaner, offering a perfect balance between freshness, depth and aromatic complexity.

In the register of pure grape varieties, Sylvaner displays crystalline vivacity and delicate floral notes. Pinot Blanc charms with its roundness and fruity freshness, while Muscat, light and fruity, adds an invigorating floral touch to the range.

The "lieux-dits" reveal the soul of the most emblematic parcels. At Clos des Capucins, Pinot Gris seduces with its richness on the palate and slightly spicy finish, while Pinot Noir Clos des Capucins expresses the finesse of red fruit and an elegant structure. On theAltenbourg, Gewurztraminer unfurls its rose and spice aromas, while Pinot Noir develops cherry and raspberry notes with a rare delicacy.

On grand cru terroirs, declassified cuvées reveal the essence of the old vines that gave them birth. The Pinot Noir La Colline du Château and the Riesling Cuvée Colette evoke the finesse of the granite terroirs of the Grand Cru Schlossberg.

Finally, the wine estate's Grands Crus are jewels of precision and minerality. The Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Furstentum exudes lychee and spice with elegant richness, while the Riesling Grand Cru Furstentum offers aromatic depth and mineral tension. On the Mambourg, the Riesling La Butte du Calvaire captivates with its structure and crystalline finish.

The Grand Cru Schlossberg, meanwhile, delivers Rieslings with crystalline minerality and notes of candied citrus, while the Riesling Sainte Catherine cuvée is a jewel of balance and harmony.

Each bottle from Domaine Weinbach is a journey through time and terroir, where the Faller family's know-how meets the unique personality of each grape variety, magnified by biodynamic viticulture. Between purity and authenticity, the cuvées tell the soul of this exceptional Alsatian wine estate, where each vintage writes a chapter in a centuries-old story.