Clos Gaensbroennel is a respected clos (walled) vineyard in Alsace, situated within Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru site. It covers a small area with marlstone and limestone topsoils – characteristic of the hillside here. Maison Willm is the producer most associated with the site, although Domaine Hering also makes a cuvee from its vines.
Clos Gaensbroennel is renowned for the particular quality of its Gewurztraminer wines. They are all now produced under the Alsace Grand Cru appellation, and their labels bear both the appellation name – followed by Kirchberg de Barr – and the Clos Gaensbroennel title.
A significant change in Clos Gaensbroennel wines occurred in 1992, when its parent vineyard site, Kirchberg de Barr, was officially promoted to Grand Cru status. Prior to this date, wines from the clos were sold under the basic Alsace title – which meant they could be either blends or varietal wines. Willm's Clos Gaensbroennel wine was a well-respected cuvee produced from Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Sylvaner. The Alsace Grand Cru laws, however, do not permit Kirchberg de Barr wines to be blends, so the current cuvee is restricted to just Gewurztraminer.
Gaensbroennel means 'goose fountain', and is a reference to the carved stone fountain which sits at the foot of the vineyard; it is also depicted on Willm's labels. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher.)
Clos Zisser, another of Alsace's renowned clos vineyards, is also located within Kirchberg de Barr.
