Domaine Frédéric Mochel — Traenheim, about 20km west of Strasbourg, and the kind of place where "family tradition" actually means something, not just a line on a label. Mochels have been working this land since 1669, vignerons de père en fils, generation after generation, with Frédéric himself bringing an interesting international edge to it all — his own path took him through Bordeaux and New Zealand before he settled back home to run the estate from 2001.
Ten hectares total, five sitting on the prized Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergbieten, the other five around the village of Traenheim itself. Marl-limestone-gypsum soils, south-east facing, deep and well-draining — proper textbook Riesling ground. Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir all get grown, hand-harvested, fermented and aged the old way in big oak foudres. HEV certified, well into organic conversion, respect for land and vine running through every decision.
Cuvée Henriette is the one to chase — the Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru Riesling, dry, mineral, precise, the kind of wine that rewards patience in the cellar as much as the vineyard. The straight AOC Riesling isn't far behind either, citrus and mineral, honest and food-ready, built for seafood, grilled fish, and yes, proper choucroute.
Classic Alsace, done the way it's meant to be done — three and a half centuries deep, still getting it right.
Domaine Frédéric Mochel — Traenheim, about 20km west of Strasbourg, and the kind of place where "family tradition" actually means something, not just a line on a label. Mochels have been working this land since 1669, vignerons de père en fils, generation after generation, with Frédéric himself bringing an interesting international edge to it all — his own path took him through Bordeaux and New Zealand before he settled back home to run the estate from 2001.
Ten hectares total, five sitting on the prized Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergbieten, the other five around the village of Traenheim itself. Marl-limestone-gypsum soils, south-east facing, deep and well-draining — proper textbook Riesling ground. Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir all get grown, hand-harvested, fermented and aged the old way in big oak foudres. HEV certified, well into organic conversion, respect for land and vine running through every decision.
Cuvée Henriette is the one to chase — the Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru Riesling, dry, mineral, precise, the kind of wine that rewards patience in the cellar as much as the vineyard. The straight AOC Riesling isn't far behind either, citrus and mineral, honest and food-ready, built for seafood, grilled fish, and yes, proper choucroute.
Classic Alsace, done the way it's meant to be done — three and a half centuries deep, still getting it right.
Image 1 of 5
Image 2 of 5
Image 3 of 5
Image 4 of 5
Image 5 of 5