Renowned Alsace Estates Jointly Purchase Grand Cru Rangen Plot for High-End Viticulture Lab

Three renowned Alsace estates, the Trapet family, Marcel Deiss domain, and Thomas Mack of Château Ollwiller, have jointly purchased a plot of the grand cru Rangen. Their goal is to transform it into a laboratory for high-end Alsatian viticulture.

The Trapet family, Marcel Deiss domain, and Thomas Mack of Château Ollwiller have jointly acquired a nearly 4-hectare plot of the grand cru Rangen. This exceptional terroir is the southernmost grand cru in Alsace, with a total area of 22 hectares. It's the region's only volcanic terroir and the only one entirely classified as grand cru.

The Rangen's steep terrain, characterized by its unique topography and late maturity, enjoys ample sunlight while also experiencing significant temperature variations due to the Thur river at the foot of the hillside. The vineyard stands on an average slope of 90%, with volcanic debris scattered across the soil, fostering the growth of mineral and saline wines.

Three grape varieties coexist here: riesling, which particularly benefits from Rangen's warm, draining soil; Pinot gris, which, although better suited to limestone terroirs, finds its place on the grand cru's slopes; and a small quantity of Gewurtzraminer, planted at the bottom of the hillside.

The Trapet, Deiss, and Mack families will each independently cultivate 1.27 hectares. However, they will jointly manage a "collection" plot of 24 ares to produce wines for charity sales. Beyond the viticultural project, the Trapet, Deiss, and Mack families aim to use this plot for an educational project, with the intention of developing a laboratory for high-end Alsatian viticulture.