I LOVED my visit to Francis Beck & Fils! Delicious wines in a family-owned & operated business…read more If you go to Alsace, take the time to drive the well-organized routes and roads or go with a tour (mine was through Viator) and get to know these small wineries. With delicious wines and very gracious hospitality (and snacks!), this is an absolute must-do.

I discovered this winery through a private wine tour. The small winery and surrounding village are…read morelovely and blessedly uncrowded by tourists. During my visit I tasted several wines on offer at the winery. Everything was enjoyable. Of particular note are their dry Rieslings and Muscat. The tasting I enjoyed was curated by Maxime, who partners with his father in the winemaking/growing process. He was incredibly engaging and helpful in explanations of both the wines and history of the winery. As a wine tour goes, this was a brilliant experience. In addition to producing some primo wines, the winery offers lodging for up to 4 or so guests. They also have a restaurant/tasting room space that can accommodate 30 or so guests.

From the owner: Welcome to Domaine Schaeffer-Woerly Located in the heart of Alsace, Domaine Schaeffer-Woerly is a…read morefamily-run vineyard dedicated to crafting expressive, authentic wines that reflect our region’s rich terroir and winemaking tradition. Our Specialties : - Organic & Sustainable Viticulture – We follow eco-conscious practices to respect nature and preserve biodiversity in our vineyards. Alsace White Varietals – Discover our signature Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Sylvaner, each with vibrant character and finesse. -,Crémant d’Alsace – Our sparkling wine, made in the traditional method, is a true crowd-pleaser for any celebration. - Warm Hospitality – As a family estate, we pride ourselves on our warm welcome and storytelling, sharing our passion with each guest. Come visit us in Dambach-la-Ville and let us take you on a journey through the taste and traditions of Alsace.

André Durrman is a quirky, fun winery with great wines…read more André himself led a tasting I enjoyed on a recent visit. You can sense his enthusiasm for wine, as well as for being a good steward of the environment. The wines here are very good. I loved the Sylvaner, the Riesling and the Gewurtztraminer I tried. Beyond what you might expect, the winery also attempts new wines/approaches to wine (unfiltered offerings, etc) that are admirable.

My fiance and I stayed at Domaine Wittman (technically, their B&B is called Le Grenier Des Arômes…read moreAu Domaine Wittmann) in December while we were traveling through the Alsace region of France. Valerie was an amazing hostess and though she was not fluent in English (and by no means can we speak French), her friendliness and helpfulness was universally understood. Domaine Wittmann is a 500 year old winery, a home to the Wittmann family, and a great B&B. We were immediately enchanted when we drove through the tiny hamlet of Mittelbergheim, with it's narrow cobblestone streets and family wineries peppered around the town. We checked in inside their tasting room and were greeted with a little tasting of their wines, majority white and dry, and some Grand Crus. Valerie showed us around the property and then led us to a newly renovated section of the building. There is a brand spanking new kitchen with a wide open space, and upstairs (no elevator, so you'd better pack lightly, have some muscles, or your partner better be able to carry up your bag for you) are the 3 guest bedrooms, all ensuite. Amenities included flatscreen tv with a ton of channels, a separate toilet, brightly lit and cheerful bathroom with towel warmer, hairdryer, complimentary bottle of water. We were also presented with a welcome basket full of info and literature about the area (in English!), and recommendations for dinner. Valerie also inquires what time you would like breakfast, so that it will be fresh when you go downstairs. The breakfasts were simple but delicious. There was a great spread of various fruits, cold cuts, a basket of bread and croissants, fresh tea and coffee, and homemade jams to die for. We looked forward to it every morning; it was so cozy to mull about and have breakfast in this pleasant kitchen (see pic). We reserved through Booking.com and got a great rate. Our check-out process was smooth. I loved their gewurztraminer, and we picked up a bottle on our way out. Another touching example of how warm and sweet Valerie was: when we checked out, she showed us a piece of paper she had printed out which said something along the lines of "I am sorry my English is not better but I hope you had a wonderful stay and happy holidays!" and gave us a tasty bag of homemade assorted Christmas cookies, along with a postcard of Domaine Wittmann. It's rare to find hospitality like that nowadays, and we will definitely return if we are in the area again. I can't recommend them highly enough!

While on a Viking River Cruise we decided to take the excursion that brought us to this wonderful…read morewinery that was established in 1576. Albert Seltz is the owner/winemaker, 15th generation of the family running the business. It was Albert, the owner/winemaker, who guided us through the tour of the more than 500 year old winery. The cellar is quite dark and dreary, lighting is dim, and the old bottles (who knows how old) of wine that were racked were very intriguing. The tour was great! Very informative and educational. We learned a little bit about winemaking, aging, and how in order for wine to be truly organic it should not be irrigated. Following the tour it was time for tasting. Four varieties were sampled, all whites, and all good. We learned about French wine tasting, specifically the three steps: nose, mouth, finish. Albert was a lot of fun. I recommend visiting if you have the chance.