Domaines Schlumberger
Family vignerons and winemakers since 1810
A great family
Domaines Schlumberger was founded in 1810 by Nicolas Schlumberger, who established vineyards on the renowned slopes above the town of Guebwiller. These vineyard sites, now run by 7th generation of the family, Severine and Thomas, have a remarkably long history of viticulture, having been planted since 207AD. Through successive generations, the Schlumberger holding has grown to be one of France’s largest and finest domaines. Schlumberger now own 130 hectares of vineyards, 70 of which are qualified as Grand Cru. This makes them not only the largest owner of vineyards in Alsace, but also the largest owner of Grand Cru in the region. Today Alain Beydon-Schlumberger runs the winery together with nephew, Thomas and niece, Séverine.
Vineyards
The vineyards include four Grand Cru sites which contribute to more than 50% of total production. Yields are kept deliberately low, with a clear focus on producing top quality wines with optimum purity of fruit. It is often a necessity on the steeper slopes of light, sandy soil which can be as much as 60 degrees gradient. The vines are horizontally planted in rows, protected by 50 kilometres of dry-stone walls to prevent soil erosion. The vineyards have ideal exposure (south to south east) and a cooling breeze, allowing the organically farmed grapes, to reach optimum maturity. Domaines Schlumberger is a certified Level 3 (the top level) High Environmental Producer and has been 100% sustainable since 2003.
Grand Cru Range
The terraced slopes of Grand Cru Kitterlé (known as “The Calf Breaker”, due to its steep slopes that can reach 50°!) face south-west, south and south-east and are situated on volcanic-sandy soils permitting limited yields of only 25hl/ha. The resultant concentration of flavours is staggering and the wines have a mineral quality, fine acidity and exceptional ageing potential.
Grand Cru Kessler (The Small Basin) faces south-east and, as its name suggests, has a valley-like depression at its center which shelters the vines from the north winds and cold draughts. With slightly richer clay soils, its unique microclimate and yields of just 30hl/ha, it gives generally quite supple and well balanced wines with pronounced floral aromas.
To the north-east of Guebwiller, the Grand Cru Saering (The Sea Ring, as the area was covered by sea) vineyard faces south-east to east. With a subsoil of sandstone pebbles interspersed with layers of marl, deeper deposits of clay, heavy sandy marl and rocks, the site is ideal for Riesling. Yields of around 30hl/ha produce wines that are typically floral with pronounced fruit flavours on the palate and the driest character of all the Grand Crus.
Les Princes Abbés
Named after the Prince Abbots who owned the vineyard from the 9th to the 18th century, the classic range blend includes fruit from the young Grand Cru vines. With the focus on the expression of classic varietal characteristics, similar to the second wines of the great châteaux of Bordeaux, Les Princes Abbés range delivers a taste of Grand Cru wines at an everyday approachable style.
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