"A beautiful vintage is when wine comes into being all by itself" is the motto at Domaines Schlumberger in Alsace. That this only succeeds when nature and man work in harmony with each other can be experienced in every glass of the expressive wines of the traditional winery.Producing the highest quality under the very best conditions is easy. But to play beyond the norm even when it is not so easy, to vinify great wines even when the course of the year is not optimal - that is the art that distinguishes a true quality winery. An art that is now being mastered by the seventh generation at the family-run Domaines Schlumberger in Alsace. Whereby it is very fortunate that they do not have to use this art too often, because the conditions for growing grapes are almost perfect on the 130-hectare estate: excellent soils meet ideal topography and sunshine. This interlocking triumvirate makes the Domaines Schlumberger specialists in Grand Cru in Alsace, as many as 70 hectares of the vineyards are classified under this highest level - thanks to the uniquely beautiful Kitterlé, Spiegel, Saering and Kessler sites.
The roots of the Schlumberger dynasty lie in German Swabia, but the family settled in Alsace as early as the 16th century. It was here, in 1810, that Nicolas Schlumberger laid the foundation for the vinophile legacy that is carried on today by siblings Séverine and Thomas Schlumberger. It is this long history, spanning seven generations, that nourishes the awareness of tradition - but also opens it up to progress. This well-balanced fusion of experience and modernity is a wonderful blend that comes through in the best way in all areas. "We only vinify our own harvest," says Séverine Schlumberger. Whereby they draw on a range of varieties from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat and Gewürztraminer, which is predestined for the sandstone terroir with its barren soils. "As mountain winemakers, we produce wines on very impressive slopes. I would even say that our vineyards are among the most breathtaking in all of Alsace." After all, the grapes ripen in the vertiginous sites of Guebwiller in the south of the region, on terraced slopes that can be as steep as 50 degrees and at altitudes of 250 to 390 metres. "In this way, our entire range of wines captures the mineral backbone of Alsace."
Listening to Séverine's words, you can hear directly the passion and love she has for her homeland and her job: "It's the most diverse job I know. Every year is different and you always have to question yourself. That's pleasant for the ego," she says with a grin. This down-to-earth attitude is probably also what leads to the greatness of the wines. The conditions of nature are an essential building block. But constantly questioning oneself ensures mindfulness in all moments: "The day you say you're the best, you can close the shop," she says reflectively. At the same time, Séverine Schlumberger is tirelessly on a mission. Because she wants to make connoisseurs understand that the wines of Alsace are indispensable for connoisseurs. Simply because "Alsace is one of the few regions in the world that produces such a variety of white wines". If you then pair this diversity with an equally passionate, like-minded team and the important factor of time, which the long winemaking process guarantees - then you produce wines that simply speak for themselves.
We cordially invite you to discover this great winery with 2019 Riesling Lieu-dit Flieg in March at our wein.plus:club online tastings. Places, available for either B2B or consumer, are very limited.
You can purchase the featured wine from the following resellers.