DOMAINE ZIND-HUMBRECHT, France

From a winemaking lineage that dates back to 1620, Olivier is the twelfth generation of his family working in viticulture. In 1959, his parents, Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, merged their family vineyards to establish Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and Olivier assumed responsibility for the estate's winemaking in 1989, the same year he achieved his Master of Wine qualification. Under his guidance, Olivier's domaine has become renowned for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture, a practice he adopted in the early 1990s. He employs non-interventionist winemaking techniques, allowing the unique terroirs of Alsace to express themselves fully in the wines, and his dedication to quality and innovation in winemaking has earned him international acclaim, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of wine.

Viticulture

The domaine cultivates approximately 40 hectares of vineyards, including prestigious Grand Cru sites such as Rangen de Thann, Goldert in Gueberschwihr, Hengst in Wintzenheim, and Brand in Turckheim. In addition to these, they manage notable single vineyards like Rotenberg, Clos Häuserer, Herrenweg, Clos Jebsal, Heimbourg, and Clos Windsbuhl, each contributing their own distinct characteristics to their wines. Practicing organic and biodynamic viticulture, earning organic certification in 1998 and biodynamic certification in 2002. The vineyard work is meticulous, with a dedicated team tending to the vines manually, utilizing animal traction, and applying compost produced on the estate. These practices aim to preserve soil health and enhance the expression of each vineyard's terroir.

Winemaking

In the cellar, the wines go through a slow fermentation and are aged on their lees for at least six months, with bottling carried out between 12 and 24 months after the harvest. This allows the wines to develop in complexity and showcase the terroir and sense of places. The average yield is around 35 hectoliters per hectare, resulting in an annual production of 12,000 to 16,000 cases .