Portfolio
Domaine Gérard Neumeyer, Alsace
Gérard and Gabrielle Neumeyer farm almost 40 acres of vine parcels in and around the village of Molsheim, about 20 minutes west of Strasbourg in the northern part of Alsace (Bas-Rhin). On the hills of Molsheim is the Grand Cru Bruderthal, where the Neumeyers are proud owners of 8.6 acres. This perfectly situated, southeast facing vineyard is planted to all four of the appellation’s noble varieties; Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat.
Gérard tends all of his parcels meticulously by hand using only natural vine and soil treatments. Harvest is of course, also manual. From vineyard to the cellar, gentle handling of the delicate white grapes is of paramount importance. In the cellar, Gérard takes every measure to ensure that both the terroir and individual character of each variety is fully expressed. All of his white wines (he also makes a little Pinot Noir) are aged on their lees in large, older, oak foudres. Gérard has resisted the bigger-is-better trend that is so prevalent in the southern part of the appellation. Instead he makes wines with focused acidity, minerality and finesse, more akin to those of his German neighbors 175 miles to the north. Domaine Neumeyer’s wines are perennially ranked among the appellation’s best by Guide Hachette, Bettane & Desseauve and La Revue du Vin de France.
Domaine Facts
| Vines: | 39.5 acres total including 8.6 acres in the Grand Cru Bruderthal – Average age of AC vines is 20-years-old and average age of Bruderthal vines is 35-years-old. |
| Wines: | Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes Pinot Blanc La Tulipe Riesling Les Hospices Riesling Grand Cru Bruderthal Pinot Gris Le Berger Pinot Gris Grand Cru Bruderthal Gewurztraminer Les Deux M – From parcels in Molsheim and Mutzig Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Bruderthal All vineyards sustainably farmed (lutte raisonnée) |
| Soil: | Mix of calcareous and dolomite rock and marl with pebbly topsoil |
| Harvest: | Manual harvest using small bins |
| Yields: | 60 hectoliters/hectare on average for AOC varietal wines 45 hectoliters/hectare on average for Grand Cru Bruderthal dry wines |
| Vinification: | Slow temperature controlled fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Élevage takes place in large, older, neutral foudres on fine lees. Light filtration just prior to bottling. |
| Annual Production: | 60,000 bottles / 5,000 cases |