An exceptional site :
On the southern fringes of Wintzenheim, the vineyard faces southeast, at an altitude of 270 to 360 metres, extended across a large wind-sheltered slope. The soil is only composed of Tertiary border conglomerates with interstratified calcareous marls. These Rhinegraben talus slope formations consists of limestone boulders of different geological layers, but also of sandstone pebbles near the top of the slope. They develop shallow, stony, mostly calcareous soils, ideal for vine growing in Alsace.
Favoured varietals :
The total surface area of 75,78 ha is dominated by Gewurztraminer, but both Tokay Pinot Gris and Riesling occupy a privileged position.
Within living memory...
In 9th century, a donation to the Abbey of Murbach mentions this vineyard for the first time. Lazare de Schwendi, seigneur of Haut-Landsbourg, and the bailiff of Kaysersberg shared feudal rights until the French Revolution.
The great reputation of this site encouraged numerous noblemen, burghers of Colmar, and the Abbeys, to establish large estates here.
Typical characteristics :
In its youth, the wine is quite in accordance with its name, it has an untamed character (Hengst means stallion). Bottle-ageing softens, refines and tames it. This "thoroughbred horse" astonishes gourmets and connoisseurs by its ageing potential (10 to 20 years, or more).
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