Pfingstberg is an Alsace Grand Cru vineyard and corresponding appellation in the village of Orschwihr in Alsace, north-eastern France. It is among the more southerly of the 51 Grand Cru sites dotted along the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains.
(© CIVA / Z Vardon)
The high quality of the local terroir has been known for many centuries and Pfingstberg is one of several Grand Crus in the area around Guebwiller and Orschwihr. Covering 69 acres (28ha) of land immediately north of Orschwihr, Pfingstberg has an ideal south-easterly aspect, with its vines receiving excellent exposure to all available morning sunshine. The slopes here are not as steep as those of Zinnkoepfle, 1.5 miles (2.5km) to the north across the Ohmbach valley. They climb steadily from 940 to 1185ft (286–360m), with occasional terracing to aid with soil retention and general vineyard management. The thin soils are composed mostly of loose sandstone and limestone over a base layer of harder sandstone. On the lower parts of the site the proportion of moisture increases, leading to the presence of soft clays.
The climate of the area is of continental type with marked low rainfall – a result of the rain shadow cast by the Vosges. The mountains also provide protection from the prevailing westerly winds, making the Alsatian summer one of the driest and warmest in the northern half of France. At the other end of the temperature scale, the winters here are cold; it is not uncommon to see Alsace vineyards lined with snow.
Apart from a few notable exceptions, all Alsace Grand Cru wines are varietals and may be produced from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat.
