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Zeyssolff Winery Guide

Winery Overview

Those who fear the corporatization and homogenization of wine should head to the Alsace wine region. This a region where family-owned wineries rule the roost, and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, encompassing many centuries of expertise. In Alsace, decisions are taken according to quality considerations rather than at the behest of accountants. Nowhere is this more true than at Zeyssolff.

The Zeyssolff family has a history as long as Alsace itself. In the 16th century, two Zeyssollf brothers involved in the legal profession received a family crest for services to the city of Strasbourg. However, their first foray into winemaking did not occur until the 18th century, when Jean-Daniel Zeyssolff, a local winemaker in the village of Gertwiller, founded Maison Zeyssolff in 1778. The winery prospered under his stewardship, with Alsatian wines’ reputation spreading across all corners of France and Europe. Successive generations continued the family line, making key decisions that would further strengthen the already formidable reputation of Zeyssolff’s wines. Overcoming the hardships of two World Wars, the winery greeted the late 20th century with renewed optimism and purpose. In 1960, Zeyssolff became one of the first Alsatian wineries to bottle its wines onsite rather than selling barrels to merchants for distribution. A new generation took over in 1997 when Yvan Zeyssolff was handed the reigns of this grand estate. Part of his vision for the future involved embracing eco-friendly viticulture, and the estate is currently converting to organic methods of viticultural management. Zeyssolff may be a tradition-bound winery, but this family is not afraid of moving with the times. Their prospects are looking pretty healthy as of 2019. The family is at the forefront of expanding oenotourism in Alsace, which started with opening their first shop called “Au Péché Vigneron,” where visitors could buy a range of regional delicacies. A modern, plush new tourism space was completed in 2015, encompassing a boutique, wine bar, sensory area, tea shop, and projection room.

Despite all the impressive bells and whistles, the core focus at Zeyssolff remains to produce terroir-driven, inimitable wines. Racy Riesling, voluptuous Pinot Noir, complex, aromatic Pinot Gris – indifference to these wines is impossible. There are no corners cut at Zeyssolff, no decisions taken purely to save a dime. The commitment to quality at this charming family-run winery is paramount, and the results are breathtaking. These are Alsatian wines at their very best.

Alsace Wine Tour

Alsace Wine Tour

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Author

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James lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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