Alsace : Domaine Weinbach

Domaine Weinbach "Clos des Capucins" is located near Kaysersberg , wich lies at the mouth of a valley leading to Col (pass) du Bonhomme . The village itself is dominated both sides by the Vosges wooded hills . Weinbach means "wine stream" in the local german language , and this is the name of the stream going through the place . The Domaine Weinbach was in fact a monastery built in 1612 by capucines monks , who made wine on the original 5 hectares of the clos . Seized at the revolution , it was later sold by the authorities as "Bien National" to successive buyers , as it happened all over France for church belongings , and the grandfather of today's owners bought it in 1898 . The Domaine is managed by two sisters , since 1979 : Catherine and Laurence Faller . They have now 27 hectares , of wich the 5 hectares of the original Clos . Soil is generally sand and alluvium on a granitic bed rock . On the whole , 110-130 000 bottles yearly in the Domaine . Yields are limited by short pruning in winter . Organic viticulture for about 10 years , half is in Biodynamic rules . In front of the elegant former monastery , hundred of roses , along the building , and also in other parts of the garden . Catherine Faller receives us in an elegant and charming tasting room where you feel through the pictures and the furniture the history of the place . A beautiful wood stove like you found in mansions is there , in perfect shape . The owner then introduces us to a wide selection of her wines . Click below for more...

A view on the cellar and its casks.1 : Domaine Weinbach Muscat 2003 . Bottled last week . From Muscat Ottonel & Muscat d'Alsace grape varieties . 2 : Domaine Weinbach Riesling, Cuvées Sainte Catherine 2002 . Comes from plots located near the Grand Cru Schlossberg . first of these cuvées were made in 1984 , with the last Rieslings being harvested in november , on the St Catherine day . White flowers aromas . 3 : Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru 2002 . Cuvées Sainte Catherine . Vines 40-60 years old rooted in mid slopes Yield is 25-30 hectoliters/hectare . Rich . Complexity . Vinified in wooden casks (foudres) 60-100 years old . Elegant and powerfull . 4 : Domaine Weinbach Riesling "inedit" 2001 . Cuvées Sainte Catherine . 25 hectoliters/hectare . The "inedit" Riesling is between dry riesling and late harvest riesling . 20 g residual sugar , but very well integrated in the acidity . 13,5 ° . Very rich aromas . Exotic fruits . First "inedit" was made in 1998 . 5 : Domaine Weinbach Tokay Pinot Gris 2002 Cuvées Sainte Catherine . Comes from the Clos' original 5 hectares . Roasted aromas .Nice structure . Suits to asian food . 6 : Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Altenbourg 2002 Cuvée Laurence . Harmony with strong cheeses , munster , etc ... 7 : Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru 2000 "Vendanges Tardives" . Orange tree flowers . Crystallized oranges . In a 375 ml bottle . 8 : Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Fürstentum Grand Cru 2001 . On marl , limestone and sandstone soil . Wonderful nose . "gras en bouche" . nice with foie gras , cheese .

Comments

[Stephen J. Gendzier]

Hey Cathy, my wife, Rhea, and I stopped by your vineyard about 8 years ago and you treated us royally. We have been loyal fans since that date. Today, David Bove stopped by to deliver my mixed case of your 2006 Gewurzes. I hope they are better than the mediocre vintage, but I have faith. Friday he will deliver one case of the Gewurz 2005 Reserve, which should be good. Hope your kids are thriving and that you continue to be a lovely, sweet, generous, attractive lady. In any case, you have fans in Lexington, MA. best regards, Steve Gendzier

[Tiffany]

Hi Catherine,

My name is Tiffany. My mom contributed to some geaneology findings - http://www.frontiernet.net/~wderoche/faller.html#greet - and we discovered that we are related to you. Hope this finds you well.

My mom did some geaneology and discovered Faller/Fallier relatives in France, specifically in the Alsace wine region. I suppose that is you:) Anyway, I'm traveling to France in April and wanted to meet as many other Fallers/Falliers as I can. Would you be interested?

Thanks!