Day-by-day estate-visit plans for Alsace: weekend, first-timer and deep-cellar editions.
Day-by-day plans
Route des Vins three-day north-south traverse ★ 4.7
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Day 1
- Morning
- Drive west from Strasbourg through Marlenheim and start the wine route proper. Mid-morning visit at a northern Bas-Rhin estate such as Domaine Pfister in Dahlenheim, on the Engelberg Grand Cru slope.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Stoeffler in Barr for the Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru, including the 2022-eligible Pinot Noir.
- Evening
- Drive south to Ribeauville for an evening glass at a grower wine bar.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Morning at Trimbach in Ribeauville for the house Riesling lineup, then a short drive to Hunawihr.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Hugel in Riquewihr followed by Domaine Mittnacht Freres in Hunawihr, comparing big-name and biodynamic-grower styles.
- Evening
- Dinner in Riquewihr's medieval centre.
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Day 3
- Morning
- Drive south to Turckheim for a morning at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, a long-running biodynamic estate working Riesling parcel by parcel.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg followed by a stop at Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller for the four-Grand-Cru lineup.
- Evening
- Final dinner in Colmar and a stroll through Petite Venise.
Grand Cru deep dive: Ribeauville to Riquewihr in two days ★ 4.6
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Day 1
- Morning
- Start in Ribeauville with a morning at Trimbach for the Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling from Geisberg and Osterberg.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Mittnacht Freres in Hunawihr for the Rosacker Grand Cru, then a walk up to the Rosacker slope and stork sanctuary.
- Evening
- Dinner in Ribeauville with a Riesling Grand Cru pour by the glass.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Drive south to Riquewihr for a morning at Hugel et Fils, with a tasting of the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru Riesling.
- Afternoon
- Drive across to Ammerschwihr for an afternoon at Domaine Geschickt in the Kaefferkopf Grand Cru, with a side-by-side of skin-contact and conventional cuvees.
- Evening
- Return to Ribeauville for the final night.
Strasbourg to the vineyards: one-day taster ★ 4.3
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Day 1
- Morning
- Begin at the Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg by the old hospital, the cellar that holds the 1472 cask and bottles 30-plus Alsatian estates' wines under a single label.
- Afternoon
- Drive 25 minutes west to Dahlenheim for an afternoon at Domaine Pfister on the Engelberg Grand Cru, then a short tasting at Domaine Stoeffler in Barr if time allows.
- Evening
- Return to Strasbourg for a wine-bar dinner.
Biodynamic and natural-wine deep dive, two days ★ 4.7
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Day 1
- Morning
- Morning at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim, a long-running biodynamic estate working Grand Cru Riesling and Pinot Gris.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Marcel Deiss in Bergheim, Demeter biodynamic and known for permitted field-blend Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim.
- Evening
- Dinner in Colmar with a natural-wine list.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Drive to Scherwiller for a morning at Domaine Achillee, the Dietrich brothers' Demeter biodynamic natural-wine estate in a straw-bale cellar.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Pierre Frick in Pfaffenheim, Biodyvin-certified and a long-running zero-sulphur producer, then a short stop at Domaine Geschickt in Ammerschwihr for skin-contact whites.
- Evening
- Final dinner in Colmar.
Wine and spirits combo, three days ★ 4.5
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Day 1
- Morning
- Morning at Trimbach in Ribeauville followed by a stop at Domaine Sylvie Spielmann in Bergheim for the Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Hugel et Fils in Riquewihr, then a stroll through the medieval centre.
- Evening
- Dinner in Riquewihr or Ribeauville.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Drive west into the Vallee de Kaysersberg to Lapoutroie, the centre of Alsatian eau-de-vie distilling, for a morning at the Massenez or Miclo distillery.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg-Vignoble for the Riesling and Pinot Gris Grand Cru lineup from the Schlossberg slope.
- Evening
- Dinner in Kaysersberg.
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Day 3
- Morning
- Morning at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Turckheim for the Brand and Rangen de Thann Grand Cru wines.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller for the four-Grand-Cru lineup and the estate's eau-de-vie of marc.
- Evening
- Final evening in Colmar.
Itineraries in Alsace, FAQ
When is the best time to visit Alsace for wine?
Peak wine-travel season in Alsace is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
Do I need an appointment to taste at Alsace estates?
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
What hours do Alsace cellars and tasting rooms keep?
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
How does tipping work at Alsace tastings?
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
What is the one wine to try in Alsace?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Alsace rewards trust.