The story of the Schoenheitz family
A family story
The Schoenheitz family left Austria in 1648 to settle in France in the village of Wihr-au-Val. Even at that time, the vineyard was renowned for the quality of its production thanks to exceptional terroir and climatic conditions.
Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it wasn't until the 1970s that Henri Schoenheitz decided to breathe new life into this vineyard, which had great potential yet had been nearly forgotten. What followed was a meticulous undertaking by Henri Schoenheitz and his wife Dominique: redrawing the original boundaries of the vineyard, clearing the land, and replanting the hillsides. It would be about ten years before Dominique and Henri embarked on their first harvest, using sustainable viticulture practices.
This hard work and the desire to create their own unique style quickly bore fruit. In 1995, the Schoenheitz family received their first award, highlighting the passion of these winemakers. From then on, accolades multiplied, and the estate was even selected for the Guide Vert, the best wines of France, by La Revue du Vin de France. In 2020, it was further promoted to the ranks of starred estates.
An exceptional terroir
Meticulous expertise at the service of sustainable viticulture
The Schoenheitz family cultivates and works its vines according to the principles of High Environmental Value (HVE) certified agriculture. In total, the vineyard covers 16 hectares, facing south/southeast, with a highest point at 550 meters above sea level. The vines are located within the Alsace appellation. The vines in the Herrenreben plot, the oldest on the estate, grow in decomposed granite soil, stony and sandy, producing Pinot Noir. Its terroir favors the production of structured and concentrated wines. The vines in the Linsenberg plot grow in granite soil, very stony. Here, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are produced. Finally, the vines in the Holder plot grow in decomposed granite and clay soil, ideal for the production of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Winemaking at Domaine Schoenheitz
Respect for the grapes above all
Upon arrival at the winery, each grape variety is pressed individually as a whole bunch. Everything is carefully considered and designed to minimize stress on the grapes during vinification. The entire winemaking process adheres to strict specifications, and the grapes are meticulously handled to produce wines with a subtle character. Hygiene standards are stringent, fermentation is perfectly controlled, and the process is monitored constantly and precisely. This precision and expertise reflect a commitment to producing wines with the most natural taste possible and to leaving a lasting impression on the consumer. The storage facility has a total capacity of 200,000 bottles.
