Grand Cru d'Alsace "Goldert"

Situated to the north of Gueberschwihr, the Goldert extends between 230 and 330 meters of altitude. In the upper western part, the slope is quite steep, with a subsoil consisting of oolithic Dogger limestone. Lower down, in the main part of the site, it is made up of Tertiary calcareous conglomerates and marls; they are covered by Quaternary scree deposits: calcareous and sandy run-off material. In general the subsoil develops a clayey, stony and healthy soil, where a high carbonate content is allied to a good drainage. The 45,35 ha of the Goldert vineyard is mainly planted with Gewurztraminer then, in order, Muscat d’Alsace, Pinot Gris and Riesling. “The large village of Gueberschwihr was already known in the year 750 as a wine locality” wrote the historian Medars Barth. From the Middle Ages until the Revolution, the Bishops of Basle and of Strasbourg, the parish of Gueberschwihr and Abbeys both near and far, all owned vineyards on the Goldert site. The name Goldert comes from the golden colour of its wines, appreciated by gourmets. Abroad also, their reputation was second-to-none, “in terms of quality, bouquet and vigour” according to a certificate issued by the city of Lucerne in 1728 (authorising the sale of these wines in a privileged part of the market); the city of Frankfurt did the same in the following century.