An exceptional site :
To the north of Guebwiller, the vineyard extends along the eastern flank of the Unterlinger foothill at an altitude varying from 300 to 390 metres, partly above the southern reaches of the Grand Cru Spiegel. The slope is quite steep but uniform. As its name suggests, the Kessler has a valley-like depression at its centre, which shelters the vines from the north winds and from the cold draughts coming down the Guebwiller valley.
From a geological aspect, the Kessler is situated on the outer fault zone of the foothills, placing side by side, from west to east, strips of Buntsandstein (largest part of Kessler area), Upper Muschelkalk and Tertiary conglomerates. Yet the steep slope leads to sliding down of the higher and friable Vosges sandstone, which covers the other terrains. So the soil is siliceous, sandy-clayey, reddish ; it becomes just richer in clay, more compact and redder when overlying the Muschelkalk linear north-south strip, although this hardly alters the uniformity of the vineyard.
Favoured varietals :
Nowadays almost all the 28,53 ha vineyard is planted with Gewurztraminer, although both Tokay Pinot Gris and Riesling are also present.
Within living memory...
First mentioned in 1394, the Kessler has the double privilege of its wines being vinified separately, and being sold only under the vineyard's own name since 1830.
Typical characteristics :
Gewurztraminer from this vineyard has a pronounced floral bouquet. On the palate its complex aromas, persistent yet not aggressive, develop a supple and well-balanced unity.
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