The Alsace Wine Route, which is 170 kilometres long, is a legendary itinerary for visitors to explore the area's winegrowing heritage, as well as the richness of the landscapes and the charm of the typical Alsace villages. At the foot of the Vosges massif, it runs through a characterful land, dotted with flowery villages with cobbled streets and medieval castles. It's sure to appeal to connoisseurs of good wine as well as lovers of authentic places. There are many vineyard paths for hikers to explore this precious regional heritage.
The North Alsace Wine Route winds its way for 60 kilometres north of Strasbourg, near the German border. It includes the Cleebourg vineyard, whose first vine stocks were planted in the 8th century. The seven Alsace grape varieties are grown there today: Sylvaner, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
The Strasbourg vineyard, which stretches from Marlenheim to Molsheim, boasts verdant landscapes alternating between vines and orchards, where you will find typical villages as well as cellars and prestigious wine estates.
Between Strasbourg and Colmar, the Coeur d'Alsace wine region includes picturesque villages nestling amid the vineyards, impressive remains of fortified castles, beautiful religious buildings and forest areas. On this trail, you can discover delightful villages such as Scherwiller and the washhouses on the banks of the Aubach; Dambach-la-Ville, a medieval town with beautiful half-timbered houses; Andlau and its Abbey Church of Saints Peter and Paul, or Mittelbergheim and its Renaissance houses. This is the fiefdom of Klevener de Heiligenstein and Rouge d'Ottrot.
The Pays de Colmar vineyard, capital of the wines of Alsace, reveals an array of renowned villages such as Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, as well as Eguisheim, Gueberschwihr and Turckheim.
Lastly, the South Alsace Wine Route runs from Thann to Soultzmatt, through the mountain landscapes of the Vosges' high peaks. It offers sublime scenery made up of steep hillsides and a remarkable Romanesque heritage. This prestigious terroir, the southernmost part of the Alsace Wine Route, gives its wines a distinctive aroma. They include Grand Cru Rangen in Thann and the Guebwiller Grands Crus.
Throughout Alsace, there are inns where epicureans can make the most of the area's generous gastronomy, and wine festivals and fairs celebrate the region's precious nectars in Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Ammerschwihr, Eguisheim, Guebwiller, Turckheim, Dambach-la-Ville, Mittelbergheim, Andlau and Obernai.
