Andre Kientzler Pinot Gris Osterberg 2018

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The Kientzler family has been growing vines for more than 5 generations in Ribeauvill and the surrounding area. As early as 1866, Dominique Alphonse Kientzler had inherited vines from his father and grandfather and in 1895 was involved in the creation of Frances first winemaking cooperative in Ribeauvill, in addition to running the local grocery shop. His son Alphonse carried on the grocery business while also tending to the vines; he eventually became the Mayor of Ribeauvill either side of World War II.

It was Alphonses son Franois though, who was the first to fully concentrate on wine production, taking himself off to Switzerland to study viticulture. By the 1970s, he was joined by his son Andr in the wine business and the pair undertook a massive replanting program to replace much of the old Chasselas with the noble Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewrztraminer varieties.

Today, the Kientzlers farm almost 14ha of vines in Ribeauvill, Bergheim, Hunawihr and Riquewihr, including significant parcels in the Grand Crus of Geisberg, Osterberg and Kirchberg. And in turn Andr handed over the reins to his sons in 2009; Thierry looks after the winemaking and Eric the commercial side of the business.