The Kientzler family has been growing vines for more than 5 generations in Alsace and now one of the most highly regarded estates in the region. It all began with Dominique Alphonse Kientzler who inherited vines from his family in 1866. Since then his son Alphonse carried on the family business (local grocery shop) while also tending to the vines, also eventually becaming Mayor of Ribeauvillé!

It was Alphonse’s son François though, who was the first to fully concentrate on wine production. By the 1970s, he was joined by his son André in the wine business and the pair undertook a massive replanting program to replace much of the old Chasselas with the noble varieties: Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. The vineyards now stretch over 14 has, including the villages of Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Hunawihr and Riquewihr, and is planted largely with old vines, as well as new stock selected from the most robust older specimens to maintain genetic diversity.

Today, the Kientzlers farm almost 14ha of vines, including significant parcels in the Grand Crus of Geisberg, Osterberg and Kirchberg. André handed over the reins to his sons in 2009 so now Thierry looks after the winemaking and Eric focuses more on the commercial side of the business.

Tasting Note:
This wine is so so different from the standard entry-level Riesling. There is s real fine mineral component in this wine which you can feel from the get go. Elegantly floral and inviting with notes of white flower and citrus zestiness. It has density with concentration of fruit but yet it possesses great finesse.  Vibrant, well structured, pure, and with long mineral finish.