Collection: Domaine Gugenberger
Domaine Gugenberger – A new chapter in Alsace
The Domaine Gugenberger For me, this is exactly the kind of young project that makes wine so exciting: Two siblings return to their homeland, bring experience from large wineries, and consciously start all over again.
Behind the Domaine are Claire and Paul GugenbergerBoth come from Alsace and had long dreamed of one day building their own winery together. Before that could happen, however, their path first led them into the world of wine.
Claire worked for several years for the DBR Group surrounding Château Lafite Rothschild and was able to get to know international wineries and different winegrowing cultures. Paul, in turn, collected as Cellar master of the Karthäuserhof on the Ruwer intensive practical experience. Eventually, their shared path led them back to Alsace – and to Mittelbergheim.
Mittelbergheim and the limestone
It is no coincidence that the two of them founded their estate here. Mittelbergheim lies at the foot of the Vosges Mountains and possesses a terroir that perfectly suits their vision of wine.
The dry, semi-continental climate of Alsace brings warm summer days and cool nights, while the Vosges Mountains block a large portion of the rainfall coming from the Atlantic. The soils around Mittelbergheim consist predominantly of Limestone and marl, as well as partially calcareous clay..
This high limestone content was a key reason for Claire and Paul to settle here. They are not looking for heavy or overly complex wines, but rather... Freshness, minerality, precision and aging potential.
Seven hectares and a historic cellar
Today, around 7 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards around Mittelbergheim to the Domaine.
The winery itself is located in the heart of the historic village and consists of several agricultural buildings as well as a listed old houseWhat I find particularly beautiful is that the wines are aged in the underground historic cellar of this house – a young project that is being created in a place steeped in history.
Sylvaner in focus
Claire and Paul also follow a very clear path when it comes to grape varieties. The Domaine produces exclusively dry wines and works with the classic grape varieties of Alsace. However, the [varietal] plays a particularly important role. Sylvaner.
I find that particularly exciting. While Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer are generally much more strongly associated with Alsace internationally, the two of them want to give Sylvaner a special platform. On the calcareous soils of Mittelbergheim, this grape variety has excellent conditions for precisely the style they are looking for. dry, straightforward, mineral and precise.
The portfolio will be divided into two different lines structured, both of which are intended to stand for purity, precision and a clear identity.
2025 – it all begins
The timing is particularly interesting: 2025 is the first vintage of Domaine Gugenberger.
So, what we're witnessing here isn't just the next generation of an already established winery, but rather the opportunity to follow a project practically from the very beginning. Claire and Paul bring experience, know the international wine world, and yet consciously chose to return to Alsace and build something of their own.
