The Grand Cru Kitterle

A sharp overhang shaped by strong arms and reinforced by fifty kilometres of walls: Kitterlé is a monument. Sunny from dusk to dawn with poor and sandy soil, this magnetic terroir produces exceptional wines.

  • An area of 26 hectares, of which we own 20 hectares. Its altitude varies from 270 to 360 metres.
  • Preferred grape varieties: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer. The average yield is 25 hl/ha.
  • Its local nickname of “Brise-Mollets” was given to it by the winegrowers who worked on this site with slopes approaching 60%.
  • This volcanic sandstone terroir was first mentioned in 1699 and marketed under its own name from 1830. It occupies a unique site on the edge of the mountain, forming a rocky spur with three different exposures (south-west, south, south-east).
  • Its very poor soil means that yields are very limited, allowing for a concentration of aromas and exceptional longevity of the wines.
Vigne Grand Cru Kitterle Domaines Schlumberger Alsace

The Nature

Regardless the varietal present on this terroir, the sandstone-volcanic, light and sandy soil of Kitterlé only gives a rather limited yield, stimulating a great concentration of aromas which is ideal for long-lasting wines.

 

Location

Kitterlé Grand Cru is located on the municipality of Guebwiller, the only one in this wine-growing area able to boast producing 4 Grands Crus: Kessler, Saering, Spiegel and Kitterlé. This colossal rocky area which outlines an overhand on the Unterlinger massif, has various exposures ( south, south-east and south-west) absorbing sunrays from sunrise to sunset. Man-made dry stone walls sit upon these often 45°-slanted steep slopes, perfectly espousing the soil variations and know-how. The only vineyard work possible here is on terraces.

Terre Grand Cru Kitterlé

Soil

Kitterlé soil is light, sandy and very porous. Its substrate is formed of coarse Vosges sandstone and quartzite conglomerates from the middle Bundsandstein period. Upon reaching the peak, levels of fine micaceous sandstone and clay lenses are sometimes found interstratified. At its west end, the sandstone-volcanic soil comes from carboniferous graywacke. Kitterlé is a poor and sandy terroir which can never produce large quantities of grapes. But these poor soils combined with optimum sunshine boost the concentration of aromas in berries and gives wines which can be kept for a long time.

Microclimate

Well sheltered from the north-sector winds by the Vosges mountain range, it has moderate rainfall (about 700mm per year) and has exceptional sunshine thanks to its good exposure and the extremely steep hillside.

Grape varieties

Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling share Kitterlé. The areas located to the extreme west with colder climates have planted Riesling. More aerated, facing south is a good area for Pinot Gris. And then the most favourable area for botrytis is where Gewurztraminer is found.