Location and history
Kaysersberg lies in the Kaysersberg valley between the Alsace Wine Route and the Vosges massif. The river Weiss runs through the town. Kaysersberg developed below an imperial castle built in the 13th century, which controlled access to the valley. In 1293, the town was granted the status of an imperial free city. Since 1 January 2016, Kaysersberg has been a delegated commune of the new municipality Kaysersberg Vignoble, which emerged from the merger with Kientzheim and Sigolsheim.
Vineyards and terroir
The vineyards around Kaysersberg benefit from a local valley microclimate and sun-drenched sites. The Schlossberg above the town has steep, south-facing slopes at heights of around 230 to 400 metres, which require terrace-style cultivation. Its subsoil consists of granitic migmatite; the sandy, mineral-rich soils are shallower on the upper slope than on the lower. In the Clos des Capucins, sandy-silty soils lie over granite scree and pebbles, whose stones at the surface promote rapid warming.
Wine-growing in Kaysersberg
Domaine Weinbach cultivates its vineyards with strict yield control, ploughing work and soil care. Since 1990, no herbicides, chemical fertilisers, chemical plant-protection products or chemical insecticides have been used there. Biodynamic cultivation began in 1998; since the 2005 vintage, all 38 hectares of the estate have been cultivated biodynamically. According to the estate, its biodynamic wines carry the Ecocert and Demeter certifications, with the exception of occasional cuvées made from purchased parcels still in conversion.
Grape varieties and wine styles
In the area around Kaysersberg, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Muscat, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc are grown and also bottled, among others. The Rieslings from the Schlossberg are described as dry, lively and long, while the wines from the upper slope sites are more pronounced, whereas the Sainte-Catherine cuvées from the lower sites are fuller and broader. Pinot Gris is full-bodied, rich and silky; Gewurztraminer is aromatic and full of body; Pinot Noir is fruity and structured. The Schlossberg has been classified as the first Alsace Grand Cru since the decree of 1975 and belongs to the protected designation of origin Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg.
