Weinbach

A monastery that has become a jewel of the Grand Cru in Alsace

Domaine Weinbach is steeped in centuries of history that began long before its current prominence in the world of Alsatian wines. In 1612, Capuchin monks built their monastery at the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, overlooking the Kaysersberg Valley in Alsace. There, they planted vines, recognizing the exceptional potential of these sun-drenched granite slopes. The name Weinbach comes from the small stream that runs through the vineyard and literally means “wine stream.”

After the French Revolution, the vineyards changed hands, but the spirit of the place remained intact. In 1898, the Faller family took up the torch. Under the leadership of Théo Faller, a visionary and iconic figure in Alsatian viticulture, Domaine Weinbach gained a reputation in the 20th century for the elegance and precision of its wines. A staunch advocate for appellations, Théo Faller actively campaigned for the recognition of Grand Cru terroirs. Upon his death in 1979, his wife Colette, along with their daughters Catherine and Laurence, took the reins of the wine estate.

True to an Alsatian tradition that holds that “the best is just good enough,” the “Capucines” have fervently followed in the footsteps of their predecessors, with the goal of constantly striving for perfection and the finest product. The trio has left a lasting mark on the wine estate, transforming it into a symbol of consistency and purity within the landscape of great Alsatian wines, including on the international stage.

Today, it is Catherine Faller, supported by her sons Eddy and Théo, who continues the journey. As the heir to an ancestral tradition, Catherine embodies both continuity and a forward-looking spirit, 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

Weinbach wine estate now spans nearly 30 hectares, some of whose plots are among the most prestigious in Alsace. The vineyard is centered on the Clos des Capucins, whose 5 hectares surround the former monastery. Sheltered from the wind, blessed with a favorable microclimate, and situated on alluvial soils rich in granitic sand, this historic terroir produces luminous, well-structured, and delicate wines. Above it rises the Schlossberg Grand Cru hill, the first terroir to be classified in Alsace in 1975. Its steep slopes, reaching altitudes between 230 and 400 meters, rest on a granite base that gives the Riesling an airy, taut character with a rare minerality.

Between Kientzheim and Sigolsheim lies the Grand Cru Furstentum. At altitudes between 300 and 400 meters, its particularly steep marl-limestone-sandstone slopes enjoy an ideal southern exposure. This warm, well-drained terroir promotes slow ripening, ideal for Gewürztraminer, which expresses aromatic intensity and great aging potential here.

Below lies the Altenbourg vineyard, which has a more sheltered microclimate and earlier ripening. Here, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer produce wines of opulent richness, often characterized by a lovely natural sweetness, particularly in the great vintages of Gewurztraminer.

Opposite the Furstentum, the Grand Cru Mambourg overlooks the hills of Sigolsheim. This terroir, among the sunniest in Alsace, benefits from a full south-facing exposure and marl-limestone soils. The accumulated heat gives the grapes a full-bodied and concentrated character, particularly in the Gewürztraminers, which here reveal a rare aromatic complexity and power, balanced by a preserved mineral freshness.

To the south of the Kaysersberg Valley, the Marckrain Grand Cru stretches east and southeast across slopes at an altitude of nearly 300 meters. Its marl-limestone soils, interspersed with oolitic limestone pebbles, promote relatively early ripening and yield powerful, structured, and highly aromatic wines, making this terroir renowned for its Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.

To enhance the extraordinary heritage of Domaine Weinbach , Catherine Faller began a gradual transition to organic wine production in 1998 , while simultaneously experimenting with biodynamic principles on part of the vineyard. This comparative approach highlighted the added depth and vitality that biodynamics brought to the grapes. Building on this experience, Catherine Faller chose to convert the entire wine estate to biodynamics starting with the 2005 vintage.

For the past twenty years, the soils have thus been cultivated without herbicides and maintained through gentle tillage that promotes microbial life. Biodynamic preparations, applied in harmony with the seasons and the plants, enhance the vigor of the vines and the expression of the terroir. Yields are deliberately kept low to prioritize the fruit’s natural concentration. Each plot is harvested exclusively by hand, ensuring rigorous selection and absolute respect for the grapes. This patient and demanding philosophy has a single goal: to produce grapes capable of faithfully reflecting 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. Fermentation takes place exclusively with the native yeasts present on the berries, in large, old oak vats, to allow for a subtle and faithful expression of the soils and grape varieties without unnecessary intervention. Red wines undergo long, controlled maceration, with regular monitoring of temperature and extraction to achieve both structure and elegance. White wines benefit from extended ageing on fine lees to impart tension and texture, while preserving their minerality and freshness.

From the cellar to the bottle: a philosophy of precision

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

Among the single-varietal wines, the Sylvaner displays crystalline liveliness and delicate floral notes. The Pinot Blanc charms with its roundness and fruity freshness, while the light and airy Muscat adds a floral and invigorating touch to the range.

The “lieux-dits” reveal the soul of the most iconic plots. At Clos des Capucins, the Pinot Gris captivates with its richness on the palate and slightly spicy finish, while the Pinot Noir Clos des Capucins expresses the finesse of red fruit and an elegant structure. AtAltenbourg, the Gewürztraminer unfurls its aromas of rose and spices, while the Pinot Noir there develops notes of cherry and raspberry with rare delicacy.

On Grand Cru terroirs, the declassified cuvées reveal the full essence of the old vines from which they are born. The Pinot Noir La Colline du Château and the Riesling Cuvée Colette evoke the finesse of the granitic terroirs of the Grand Cru Schlossberg.

Finally, the wine estate’s Grand Crus are jewels of precision and minerality. The Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Furstentum exudes lychee and spices 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, for its part, produces Rieslings with crystalline minerality and notes of candied citrus, while the Sainte Catherine Riesling cuvée is a gem of balance and harmony.

Every bottle from Domaine Weinbach is a journey through time and terroirs, where the Faller family’s expertise meets the unique personality of each grape variety, enhanced by biodynamic viticulture. Combining purity and authenticity, these cuvées capture the soul of this exceptional Alsatian wine estate, where each vintage writes a chapter in a centuries-old story.