Domaine Dirler-Cadé

The Dirler family have been producing wine since 1871 in the small village of Bergholtz, near Guebwiller. The family domaine took a further step forward in 2000 with the marriage of 5th generation Jean, son of Jean-Pierre Dirler, to Ludivine, daughter of Léon Hell-Cadé.

This took the total estate to 18 hectares, of which 42% are Grand Cru: Saering, with its clay/limestone/sandstone soils and quivering acidity; Spiegel, more sandstone/stony in its make-up, ensuring an ethereal finesse; Kessler, rich in sandy/clay/sandstone is famed for its power and ageing potential; while the sandstone/volcanic/sandy Kitterlé brims with perfumed spicy aromas on the nose and great persistence on the palate.

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris account for over 60% of the vines, the remainder made-up of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat, and Chasselas.While the vinification is essentially traditional, using both large oak foudres and stainless steel, it is in the vineyard where the most marked changes have taken place: since 1998 all the vines have been farmed organically and biodynamically.

Small amounts of brimstone flour and Bordeaux mixture, herbal teas of nettle, as well as concoctions of willow and horsetail are part of the biodynamic arsenal.