THE TERROIRS
The Jean Becker winery spans over about twenty hectares around the small village of Zelleberg and extends to the surrounding villages of Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Beblenheim, Mittelwihr and Kaysersberg. It is no wonder that our ancestors decided to plant their vineyard in Zellenberg, on this hillock of chalky sandstone that rises up to 300m above sea level.
Our small hill and its surroundings are filled with outstanding geological richness. Thus, our vine plots benefit from a great geological diversity as well as from the protection of the Vosges mountains. They are in fact planted on soils that are rich in elements such as limestone, marl, clay, silt, sandstone or granite. That way, microclimates are formed from hill to hill and thrive with the ideal sunlight exposure of our plots. From this patchwork, we compose our bold terroir wines!
Grand Cru FROEHN – Zellenberg
Spanning over 14.6 hectares, the Froehn benefits from the south and south eastern Zellenberg hillsides and reaches a peak of 300m above sea level.
“It is a clay-marley terroir from the Lias, made up of dark gray schist marl and featuring thin white limestone beds as well as carbonate and ferruginous nodules.”
The translation of our Froehn’s fine and strong acidity is outstanding. Regardless of the grape variety, it gains salinity and minerality with age.
Wine characteristics: floral, fruity, combining richness, finesse and depth.
Grape varieties: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Gewurztraminer.
“This Grand Cru melts in the entire palate, engaging all taste buds.”
Grand Cru SCHOENENBOURG – Zellenberg, Riquewihr
Renowned since the Middle Ages, Shoenenbourg is a relatively steep slope facing south / south east, and stretches between 265m and 380m in altitude to the north of the village of Riquewihr.
“This area covering 53.4 hectares sits on marly, dolomitic and gypseous Keuper lands with rich fertilizing and water-retaining properties. They are covered with fine quaternary layers of siliceous gravel from Vosges sandstone and Muschelkalk, while limestone marl from the Lias appears on the east facing ends.”
Wine characteristics: powerful and rich aromas. Excellent for maturing wine, suitable for late grape harvest.
Grape varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer.
Grand Cru SONNENGLANZ – Beblenheim
As its name suggests, the “Sonnenglaz” – which means sunshine in Alsatian – is a terroir that benefits from a very sunny microclimate, where grapes can slowly ripen in the sun. Situated high up Beblenheim, these vineyards face south-east on a 32 hectares plateau reaching 270m in altitude.
“ They owe their ripening’s quality and pace to the combination of soil resources and gifts of sunlight. It’s a well-structured and deep brown limestone soil originating from an oligocene conglomerate. The clay content of around 30% delays its temperature rise in the spring, causing a slow growth that in turn ensures a great retention of water and fertilizing elements.”
Wine characteristics: rich, fine and concentrated aromas with tones of spice. Late-ripening terroir, suitable for late grape harvest.
Grape varieties: Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer.
Grand Cru MANDELBERG – Mittelwihr
The Mandelberg – “almond trees hill” – is a plateau facing south/south-east on the north of the village of Mittelwihr, close to the Sonnenglanz. It also benefits from a favorable mesoclimate providing ideal sunlight lingering in the evening, and protected from cold winds.
“These are brown limestone soils that contain a large amount of rolled and angular stones. Thus, they are ideal for deep penetration of vineyard roots. This, combined with good soil water retention from its high clay content, allows for good and sufficient water supply during the summer months.”
The terroir benefits from a marl and limestone soil on conglomerates from the edge of the Rhine rift dating from the primary era. Perfectly balanced with excellent sun exposure, it forms an ideal crucible for Gewurztraminer.
Wine characteristics: district fruit and finesse.
Grape variety: Riesling.
Grand Cru SCHLOSSBERG – Kienzheim, Kaysersberg
Sat on the south side of the Kaysersberg valley, the Schlossberg Grand Cru has been renowned since the Middle Ages for its vineyard terraces growing on a steep slope.
“The wines here are airy, floral and delicate. They are unique in their freshness coming directly from the heart of this great granite terroir.”
Implanted on a granite rock, this Grand Cru’s soil is shallow and mainly made up of sand and clay. It’s a terroir with excellent mineral fertility. Because of the steep slope of the land, the vineyards have to be terraced. This plot is entirely plowed by horses.
“Its structure expresses the combination of an airy and fresh volume with a serious yet gourmet tension. The saline potential of this Grand Cru can generally be seen in its length which reflects the soil’s granite richness. Riesling thrives majestically here, characterized by fragrant citrus and fresh herbs notes.”
Wine characteristics: delicate and refined floral aromas.
Grape variety: Riesling.
Kronenburg
Located opposite the Zellenberg hillock, the Kronenburg is a direct extension of the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru to the north east. Just like the ladder, it is made up of clayey marl but it is slightly less steep and faces south east. Its high clay content gives the wines complexity, structure and intensity.
Riesling: Elegant wine to lay down. Preserves its freshness, even during hot years or overripening.
Aromas: ripe pear.
Rimelsberg
The Rimelsberg is an extension of the Kronenburg towards Hunawihr. In its roots, this terroir is just as marly and clayey as the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru and the Kronenburg. Up on the land, the soil contains more rolled stones. It’s a favorable terroir for late grape harvest and for aromatic grape varieties.
Gewurztraminer: powerful and exotic fruitness.
Pinot Gris: very rich with barky, peanutty and smoky aromas.
Grafenreben
Situated below the Rimelsberg, this terroir is astonishing. Among all our lieux-dits, it’s the clay and marl terroir with the highest limestone content and produces exceptional wines.
Riesling: limestone gives it unmatched minerality.
Aromas: yellow fruits.
