Altenberg de Wolxheim is a named vineyard of the Alsace Grand Cru appellation. It is located 12 miles (19km) to the west of Strasbourg in the commune of Wolxheim in the heart of the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace. The vineyard encompasses just over 31 hectares (77 acres) of gentle, south/southwest-facing slopes at the base of the Rocher de Horn hillside, which rises to a maximum of 820ft (250m) immediately northwest of Wolxheim.
©Domaine Joseph Scharsch
Altenberg de Wolxheim produces all four of Alsace's eponymous grape varieties, but specializes in Riesling and Gewürztraminer in particular. In fact, these grape varieties account for more than three-quarters of Altenberg de Wolxheim's vines, with Riesling comprising 18ha (45 acres) and Gewürztraminer 8ha (20 acres) of the cultivated land. The south/southwesterly aspect of Altenberg de Wolxheim means that its vines are exposed to the full force of the afternoon sunshine, helping the grapes to reach full maturity during the growing season. Vines are planted at elevations between 656 to 820ft (200 to 250m).
The vineyard lies atop soils rich in clay, marlstone and limestone littered with pebbles. While the loose topsoil assists with drainage, the lower strata retain water reasonably well, helping the vines to survive in Altenberg de Wolxheim's very dry mesoclimate. This combination forces the vines to search deep down in the ground for water, creating strong, healthy root systems.
Altenberg de Wolxheim is one of only five Alsace Grand Cru vineyards to the north of Barr; between its southern neighbor Bruderthal and Kirchberg de Barr – the next vineyard to the south – is a gap of nearly 10 miles (16km). This is the largest distance between any two Alsace Grand Cru vineyards and results from the local topography, which is markedly flatter and less defined than further south. The Vosges mountains are lower-lying and less dense in Bas-Rhin compared to Haut-Rhin, creating a more homogenous landscape and thus fewer ideal vineyard sites.
The vineyards of Wolxheim have been held in high esteem ever since the Medieval period when they were largely owned by prominent religious figures of the time, including Archbishop Wernher of the Diocese of Strasbourg in 1003. Emperor of France, Napoleon I, too was a known admirer of Wolxheim wines. Altenberg de Wolxheim was awarded Grand Cru status in 1992 and today is renowned for being the home of several leading Alsatian producers, including the likes of Clément Lissner.
