The Sylvaner grapes for this wine come from a 5.5-hectare plot in the village of Rorschwihr, where the vines grow in a mix of clay, marl and limestone. Remarkably, the area’s soils contain all 21 limestone types identified worldwide, with an equally complex subsoil beneath. Monks recognised the unique potential of these sites more than four centuries ago, and some of their traditional approaches still guide work in the vineyard today: tasks are timed according to lunar and stellar cycles, and harvest decisions are made by tasting the pips and skins to judge true ripeness. The vines are farmed using organic and biodynamic methods, even though the Domaine has chosen not to pursue formal certification.
