The village of Bergbieten, tucked into the far north of Alsace west of Strasbourg, has a single wine producer: the Schmitt family, who have made wine here since the early seventeenth century.
Backstory
Roland Schmitt died in an accident in 1993, and his wife Anne-Marie took over the estate alone. Their son Julien joined in 1999 and has headed the domaine since 2007, supported by his mother, his brother Bruno, and his sister Lucile. The family was farming organically and winning local tastings long before they began exporting, encouraged toward the American market by André Ostertag.
The Region
The estate farms close to 11 hectares almost entirely around Bergbieten, between Molsheim and Marlenheim. Its prize holdings are in the Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergbieten, along with the lieux-dits Glintzberg and Thalberg.
Vineyards and Farming
Julien has farmed organically since 2004 and converted the estate to biodynamics in 2019, work now confirmed by Demeter certification. Harvest is by hand.
Winemaking
In the cellar the family relies on indigenous yeasts and traditional fermentation, much of it in stainless steel, with aging on fine lees and low sulfur additions to preserve freshness and natural expression.
The Wines
The range showcases classic Alsace varieties, including a Pinot Blanc and Rieslings and Gewurztraminers from the Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru, precise wines rooted in a terroir the family has tended for four centuries.
