5 different ways to discover the Alsace Wine Route
5 experiences to enjoy
A different way to discover the Alsace Wine Route
Imagine a road that winds through vineyards, past villages with colorful facades and along hillsides bathed in light. For almost 170 kilometers, the Alsace Wine Route links some of the best-known villages in the vineyards, including Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim.
To really feel it, sometimes all you need to do is slow down, stop at an estate or walk for a few minutes between the rows of vines. Here are five ways to experience the Wine Route differently.
Let the road roll by on board the Kut’zig
Climb aboard the Kut’zig convertible bus and take a seat upstairs. The landscape passes slowly by: vineyards, bell towers, village ramparts.
The bus circulates between several villages in the Land of Colmar. You can get off when an alleyway catches your eye, push open the door of an estate, have a drink in a square… then get back on the bus a little later to continue your journey. It’s an easy way to explore the vineyards without hurrying!
Meet a winemaker in the heart of the vineyards
Some experiences invite you to slow down and take the time to meet those who cultivate the vines. During a Parenthèse Vigneronne, you can taste a wine directly between the rows of vines, take part in a sensory workshop or discover unexpected pairings between Alsace wines and chocolate. The winemaker shares his day-to-day experience: the grape varieties, the soils, the role of the weather and the rhythm of the harvest.
A simple moment of exchange, often extended by the discovery of a new bottle.
Cross the vineyards on the Gourmet Train
Come aboard the Train Gourmand du Vignoble and let yourself be guided. The train winds gently along the foot of the slopes, while the vineyard scenery flashes past behind the windows.
Along the way, you’ll discover the history of the villages, the particularities of the vineyards and the Alsatian grape varieties. Tastings punctuate the route, often in the presence of a winemaker who shares anecdotes and know-how. Time seems to slow down, between landscapes and conversations about wine.
A simple moment of exchange, often extended by the discovery of a new bottle.
A day in the life of a grape picker
In autumn, the vines change color. The rows turn yellow, orange, sometimes red. It’s harvest time!
After a few explanations and a pair of pruning shears, you’re off to pick grapes for a day. We cut the bunches, fill the baskets, move forward row by row, discovering Alsatian grape varieties.
As the morning progresses, we gain a better understanding of the work behind each bottle, and appreciate them all the more.
Walking through vineyards and terroirs
The Géovino trails also take on a scientific dimension. Strolling through the vineyards, the trails explain how soils, rocks and exposure influence the grape varieties and taste of Alsace wines. Between two explanatory panels, the eye is drawn to the vine-covered hillsides that stretch as far as the eye can see. For example, from the heights of Grand Cru Schoenenbourg, near Riquewihr, you can appreciate the vineyards that line the village’s hillsides.
Bonus: the atmosphere of Christmas cellars
In winter, some of the wine cellars in the Land of Colmar change atmosphere. The lights come up, the mulled wine gently warms up and the tastings take on a festive air.
Push open the door of a winery, taste a glass and chat with the winemaker. The Wine Route is revealed in a different light, between Christmas traditions and sleepy vineyards.
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