Schoenheitz family works the full range of Alsatian wines according to sustainable viticultural practices and by applying certified agriculture principles as outlined by HVE (High Environmental Value). This includes minimizing the pollution of waters, air and soil, preserving and supporting the long-term balance of soil, planting natural grass between the rows, limiting all treatments to those strictly necessary, harvesting by hand with a strict selection on the vines, considering the carbon footprint when choosing materials (bottle, cork, label, etc).
• Harvest reception area and press are located higher than the winery to benefit from gravity flow techniques.
• Pneumatic press allows for whole cluster pressing.
• Temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for a total capacity of 1,000 hl (average volume of tank:35 hl).
• Barrels from Burgundy made of French oak (Allier), renewed by one quarter each year for the ageing of our Pinot Noir.
• Air-conditioned premises with a storage capacity of 200,000 bottles.
Each parcel and variety is individually pressed. After passing a last phase of sorting, the entire bunch is deposited on the press. The whole installation has been specially conceived to avoid shocks and stress to the grapes during transport. It is due to this respect for the fruit that the variety and the soil can fully express themselves in “high fidelity”.
Strict rules of hygiene, perfect temperature control of the fermentation, and constant and precise follow-up permit an accurate translation of the wine’s natural expression. The defining characteristics of the Schoenheitz style, leaving a lasting impression, are “frankness, clarity and purity.” The story is written by nature, the nuanced and subtle interpretation is provided by the deep oenological experience of Dominique, Henri and Adrien Schoenheitz.
The Schoenheitz vineyard, spread over 17 hectares, is entirely concentrated on the steep slopes of the magnificent Munster valley. The slopes are sometimes so steep that no tractor can work them. Only man can access them.
Great wines are born from extreme or difficult conditions.
The vines all benefit from an exceptional south-facing exposure. The granitic terroir favours the production of wines with character, good structure and rare finesse. The foothills of the Vosges create the optimal conditions for a favourable micro-climate; a nuanced expression of the terroirs and soils.
Respect, patience, rigour.
Observations and vigilance at every moment for a reasoned viticulture, respectful of the environment, patient care given to each vine throughout the year and throughout its life, choice of strictly adapted grape varieties, a unique place to leave, limiting production... these are some of the rules followed by the Schoenheitz family to produce great Alsace wines.
