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The Women of Domaine Weinbach

Kayserburg is a fairytale land of castles and storks, mountains and magic. Incredible food and gentle, friendly people. Domaine Weinbach was established in 1614 by the Capuchin monks. During the French revolution, it became a national property and in 1898, the Faller brothers acquired the estate. It was left to their son and nephew, Theo Faller. Following the passing of their son, Theo continued the family tradition. In 1979, Theo passed away leaving the winery in the capable hands of his wife Colette and two daughters, Catherine and Laurence.

In my business (the wine industry), I'd been exposed to Alsacian wines. However, I was not at all prepared for how blown away I'd be by a recent visit to Domaine Weinbach in the heart of Alsace. The story of the land was that it was once a part of Germany and went to the French during the World War II. Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc were the grapes of the land. It had been explained to me how different in style Alsacian wines were from their German counterparts. Bone dry, with huge aromas.

The Faller women are three of the classiest dames I have ever met. Mde. Faller clearly sets the tone. Dressed to the nines and fussing over every detail. She meets and greets and directs all the action. Catherine the "older" daughter is in charge of marketing. After an apprenticeship at Sonoma Cutrer in California, Laurence, who is only in her twenties has assumed winemaking responsibilities. Laurence is a very astute, savvy woman. I was extremely impressed with her, even more so, after barrel sampling her current vintage of wines.

These wines burst with flavor and fruitiness. They are intense yet elegant. I found her wine to be seductive, spicy, rich, and delicately refreshing. The wines are a bit pricey, but once you taste them there is no hesitation.

Picture this.....lunch in the kitchen of this beautiful old estate with the Faller women hovering over us. We start with cold smoked trout with creamy horseradish sauce and Weinbach Pinot Blanc Reserve. From there we have huge plates of giant white asparagus with morel mushrooms in a rich cream sauce. We drink the Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Theo and the Gewurztraminer Laurence. This was to die for. As with every meal in France, a cheese course was included and paired with their astounding Riesling Schlossberg Catherine. I'm in heaven. We are all laughing and chatting like old girlfriends. But the meal is not over. Catherine had made homemade ice cream. And to finish things off we must try their homemade Marc and Eau Di Vie.

These women are a hoot. For me, this whole experience reinforces what is important to me about the wine I like to drink, where this wine comes from--the land, and in whose hands the wine is made. I feel a personal attachment to these wines, these women and I have unabashedly become one of their greatest fans. Try them and be ready for one very heady experience.

By Kate Burmeister