Producer >
An estate nestled in the hills of Guebwiller in Southern Alsace, carefully managed and expanded by the Schlumberger family since 1810. Thanks to the foresight of Ernest Schlumberger at the turn of the 19th Century, the family lands increased from just 20ha to 140ha. Ernest purchased phylloxera-ravaged vineyards, replanting and resurrecting as he went. Over half of these vineyards are classified as Grand Cru sites, producing steely mineral led wines from the four famous Grand Crus of Guebwiller: Saering, Kitterle, Kessler and Spiegel. The wines have longevity and life, not just from these steep stony sites but from a deep rooted culture of organics, sustainability and on 30ha, biodynamic farming. Séverine Beydon-Schlumberger and her brother Thomas now run the company with their Uncle Alain Freyburger making the wines in tandem with nature.
Viticulture >
The grapes for this Pinot Blanc come primarily from the vineyards of Saering & Spiegel as well as the localities of Bux and Bollenberg. Saering is a 27 hectare plot, of which 20 hectares are owned by the Domaine Schlumberger. Its height ranges from 260 to 300 metres and the soil is a light sandstone. Spiegel covers a total area of 18 hectares of which 5 hectares are owned by the Domaine Schlumberger. Its height ranges from 260 to 315 metres, faces east and has a sandstone soil with some marl. Bux and Bollenberg are on limestone/clay . On the slopes the vineyards are arranged into terraces and are worked by horses, lessening compaction and thus the potential for erosion. The vineyard work is done according to a local charter, TYFLO, a sustainable initiative to elimiate the use of herbicides. In addition, 30 of the domaine`s hectares are farmed biodynamically.
Winemaking >
Even though the Pinot Blanc is very old (already known in the 16th century), it
achieved its present reputation only during the last few years. This grape variety
is not originating from the Bourgogne (Burgundy) region but comes from
Northern Italy. It was first introduced by the Anglo-Saxons. The French then also
discovered it gradually and they began to appreciate this wine for its qualities
of freshness, suppleness and its food-friendliness.
Pneumatic pressing, static racking. Fermentation in thermo-regulated tuns for
one to four months. Maturing for seven months on fine lees.