The Simonis Family has been farming in Ammerschwihr, just outside Colmar, since the early Seventeenth Century. Following his viticultural education in Beaune and several years apprenticing, Étienne Simonis took over the domaine from his father René in 1996. In 2000 he eliminated all chemical agriculture at the domaine, eventually receiving both Ecocert Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certifications. The domaine comprises 7 hectares in total, most in Ammerschwihr. The average vine age is 40 years, with some parcels dating to the 1950s and earlier
Nicolas Einhart’s family has been growing wine in Alsace for generations. Taking over the estate in 1990, Nicolas converted fully to Biodynamic practices, including creating wildlife zones on the uncultivated parts of the domaine. The traditional Alsace varietals are grown here – Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat, and Pinot Noir – but the focus at Domaine Einhart is on skin-contact “orange” wines. Nicolas believes the extra maceration time allows the property’s clay-limestone terroir to be more fully expressed through the finished wines.
Jean-Marie Bechtold is the fourth generation to steward this traditional domaine. He began working with his father in 1980 and took the reins in 1995. The estate is located in Dahlenheim, west of Strasbourg in the slopes of the Couronne d’Or. The only organic grower in Dahlenheim, Jean-Marie is currently making the conversion to biodynamic viticulture.
