©Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d'Alsace (CIVA)
Engelberg is an Alsace Grand Cru vineyard at the very northern end of the Grand Cru belt in the Bas-Rhin sub-region of Alsace. The vineyard is divided between the communes of Dahlenheim and Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett in the Alsace department of the Bas-Rhin, 12 miles (19km) west of Strasbourg.
The vineyard stretches over 15 hectares (37 acres) of gentle south-facing slopes that rise from 820 to 984ft (250 to 300m). The southerly aspect means that the vines are exposed to maximum sunshine levels throughout the day and during the entire growing season. The vines are also well-ventilated, meaning that the grapes are little affected by botrytis.
The shallow soils are rich in fossils and littered with rocky limestone and marlstone fragments, helping to keep the surface soils dry and well-drained. Grape vines must therefore send their roots deep into the soil in search of water, thereby creating strong, healthy root systems. Riesling is particularly suited to these stony soils and constitutes just over half of the vines planted, but Gewürztraminer and smaller amounts of Pinot Gris also favor Engelberg's unique terroir.
The wines of Engelberg have been revered for their quality since the 9th Century. These "noble wines", as they were then referred to, were produced by monastic orders throughout the Medieval period. This religious connection is evident in the vineyard's name – Engelberg translates as "hill of the angels". More recently, local vinters have formed an agreement to only produce dry Riesling wines with a maximum residual sugar level of 9g/l. In 1992, Engelberg was classified as an Alsace Grand Cru vineyard.
