Domaine Durrmann
Alsace, France
Among the picturesque vistas of Alsace, lies the charming village of Andlau - settled in the year 880 by a monastery of nuns, a place where grapes have been cultivated for more than a thousand years! Nestled on the first slopes of the Vosges Mountains south-west of Strasbourg by 30 minutes, which is renowned for its rich viticultural heritage. Andlau stands as a testament to centuries of winemaking tradition & innovation, and here lies Domaine Durrmann.
The Durrmann winery was established in 1979 with a mere 1.5HT sought by André’s grandfather who worked as a shoemaker, to supplement his vinous pursuits. The absence of entrenched winemaking customs may have posed initial challenges, but it gifted the Durrmanns the freedom to forge a path unbound by convention.
Enter Yann Durrmann, heir to this legacy, who has tread the vineyard rows since childhood & now steers the Domaine’s helm with conviction. In a region lauded for its organic pioneers, Yann’s ethos transcends mere certification, embracing a holistic approach that champions nature’s nuances. Since 2007, vinification has eschewed any inputs or additions, a testament to the unwavering commitment to purity. Their vineyards, now sprawled across 30 diverse plots over 10HT, reflect a quest for terroir diversity, each parcel an ode to the land’s unique voice.
Like scattered shards of a stained glass window. Stunning, remarkably formed & placed, seemingly without rhyme or reason & within those parcels, a range of asymmetrical climates that were at once unto themselves & yet exquisitely pieced together into a meticulously engineered, breath-taking whole. Ambling down the Vosges Mountains, the vineyards benefit from a unique composition of granite, limestone, schist, sandstone & hornfels soils, each contributing distinct characteristics to the wines produced here.
The climate is defined by its proximity to the Vosges Mountains & the moderating effects of the nearby Rhine River. The region experiences a marked diurnal temperature variation, ensuring that grapes retain acidity while achieving optimal ripeness; producing honest, pure & chiselled wines without an ounce of superfluous fat.
