©Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d'Alsace (CIVA)
Bruderthal is a vineyard situated within the Alsace Grand Cru appellation. It is located in the commune of Molsheim in the Bas-Rhin sub-region of Alsace, 14 miles (22km) southwest of Strasbourg. Here, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris thrive on the 18 hectares (45 acres) of gentle, southeast-facing slopes. Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles wines are produced here and constitute approximately 5 to 10 percent of the vineyard's harvest.
The vineyard is set in a natural amphitheater at elevations of 771 to 984ft (235 to 300m). The nearby Vosges mountains shelter the vines from cold winds and rain, while the southeast aspect affords prime sun exposure necessary for ripening. These factors together contribute towards the balanced, complex nature of Bruderthal's wines. Indeed, wines from this site are renowned for their aging potential and are not as approachable in their youth as those from warmer sites further south.
The soils across the Bruderthal vineyard are very stony and primarily consist of marl-limestone. While the loose topsoil decreases water retention, the lower strata hold water reasonably well, providing an important water source for vines in the dry Alsatian climate. The stony, limestone-rich soils also reflect the sun's heat back onto the vines, extending the vegetative period. This combination of climatic effects reduces grape yields so much so that the specified Grand Cru production quota is only occasionally reached.
The first recorded reference to winegrowing in Bruderthal came in 1316. However, Cistercian monks are known to have practiced viticulture in Bruderthal in the 13th Century and in fact were the inspiration behind part of the vineyard's name – bruder translates as "brother" in English – while the word thal means "valley". In more recent history, Bruderthal was recognized as an Alsace Grand Cru vineyard in 1992.
