An exceptional site :
The vineyard extends along the south to southeast flank of the hill, to the south of Wuenheim and just to the north of the Chateau-Domaine of Ollwiller, at an altitude of 280 to 335 metres. Its dry climate is due to the southerly exposure and to the wind-sheltered position beneath the 1000 metres high Vosges crest and its basin-like counterforts : Vieil-Armand, Freundstein, Sudelkopf.
The Ollwiller hillside consists of Tertiary border conglomerates of Eo-Oligocene age. Buntsandstein- and some Grauwacke-pebbles with thick interspersed marls made up a siliceous, clay- and sand-rich soil. It is either more compact where marl is present, or more sandy and deeper in colluvial creeping zones. The upper part of the site is covered by Quaternary alluvial-fan gravels, a siliceous material too.
Favoured varietals :
The sandy nature of the soil and its excellent exposure favour Riesling and Gewurztraminer in this 35,86 ha vineyard.
Within living memory...
Vines have been planted on this site since the earliest times, at least since the first castle was built in 12th century.
Typical characteristics :
The wines of Ollwiller are particularly fine and distinguished, with great elegance. Their distinctive character emerges after 2 or 3 years in bottle. At this moment, both Riesling and Gewurztraminer develop their full eloquence.
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