Clos Saint Imer is one of Alsace's famous clos vineyards. Located in the village of Gueberschwihr in the south of Alsace, the 12-acre (5-ha) vineyard is a monopole of the Burn family. It was purchased in 1934 by Ernest Burn, who set about restoring the land, reuniting the plots into which it had been divided. The clos had fallen into a state of disrepair after the French Revolution and during the years of political unrest which followed.
The walled (clos) vineyard is situated immediately north of Gueberschwihr village, on the highest slopes of the Goldert Grand Cru site. Its wines may therefore bear the Goldert name in addition to that of the clos and the Alsace Grand Cru title.
The Clos Saint Imer slopes have an ideal south-easterly aspect, exposing the vines to gentle, ripening sunshine throughout the morning. The topsoil is predominantly clay and limestone with a high stone content, while the lower soil strata are composed of harder calcareous sandstone.
The site produces not only white varietal wines made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat, but also red wines made from Pinot Noir. Although Pinot Noir represents 10% (and growing) of Alsace's vine plantings, it is not permitted under the current Alsace Grand Cru appellation laws. Red Clos Saint Imer wine (of which there is limited production) does not therefore qualify as Grand Cru and must be sold under the regional Alsace appellation.
