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the zinnkoepfle

With its steep south facing slopes, the Zinnkoepflé hill majestically overlooks the valley situated west of the town of Rouffach. This grand cru vineyard is the highest in Alsace: the altitude reaches 1300 feet. The soil is mainly conchiferous oolitic limestone; its name comes from "Sonne Koepfle" (which means "head in the sun") or  "Sonne Arle", Alsatian name given to small circular fossile shells.

The highest Vosges mountains dominate the Zinnkoepflé of about 3000 feet and stop the rainfalls coming from the west. Therefore it benefits from a particularly sunny climate unique  to that southern part of Alsace, like the Rouffach hillsides and the Clos Saint Landelin vineyard.

It gives birth to fresh and spicy wines with a strong bouquet which often develops floral aromas. Pleasant when they are young, the Zinnkoepflé "grand cru" wines are amazingly subtle. The gewurztraminer is one of the most highly regarded and most successful grape varieties in this vineyard.