The Alsace cooperative, Cave de Hunawihr was founded in 1954 to help re-establish winemaking traditions in a region greatly affected by World War Two. The results have been overwhelmingly positive and Hunawihr now comprises 110 members. The cooperative has a newly renovated, modern winery and comprises 200 hectares of vineyards. 80% of these vines are in Hunawihr, with the remaining 20% in the neighbouring communes, Riquewihr and Zellenberg. They also have 13 hectares in Grand Cru holdings, including Rosacker, Froehn, Sporen, Schoenenbourg and Osterberg.

The Cave de Hunawihr winemaking philosophy is centred on showcasing varietal typicity through cool ferments in stainless steel and no oak influence. As a result, the final wines are fresh, dry and aromatic, with excellent balancing acidity.

Vineyards

Sheltered from oceanic influence by the Vosges Mountains, the Alsace wine region has a semi-continental climate which stays sunny and dry throughout the growing season, and this lengthens the ripening period for the grapes. The slopes surrounding Hunawihr, a picturesque village of half-timbered houses and a 14th century church, are some of the most celebrated in Alsace for grape-growing. Cave de Hunawihr’s fruit is sourced from 25 year-old vines grown in vineyards running along the south and south-east facing hillside slopes around the village, at an altitude of 250-320 metres. The vineyards cover an area of 36 hectares, located on a geological fault line across Ribeauville which gives soils composed of clayey limestone marl and chalky gravels.

Vinification

Grapes were taken from selected small plots from the Hunawihr vineyards. Temperature-controlled fermentation took place between 16-18C for three weeks, followed by four months in stainless-steel tanks to settle before being filtered carefully. No malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place to preserve the purity of the fruit.

Tasting Notes

This wine is pale yellow in colour with a silver tint. The nose is fresh and intense with floral and pear aromas. On the palate, elegant flavours of pear and apricot are matched with a subtle smokiness.