The Estate

“The Vallée Noble is my country and the Grand Cru Zinnkoepflé my little homeland”. About twenty kilometers south of Colmar, the vineyards of Jean-Marie Haag estate descend from the steep hillsides in this narrow valley called Vallée Noble, closed like a circus. The special dry climate that reigns there offers the vines a potential for over-maturity and makes it possible to produce concentrated, finesse vintages with incredible length.

From the 11th to the 16th century, several noble families built seven castles there which explains the Latin name of the valley : vallis praenobilis, high noble valley.

Traces of Soultzmatt vineyard were found in the 12th century, at a time when it was mentioned that cartload (“kara”) of wine were delivered to the country of Bade.

It is in this beautiful Valley that the estate is established.

The Noble Valley’s vineyard is situated at the foothills of the Vosges chain where the Petit and Grand Ballon of Alsace form a barrier and protect the vineyard from west winds and summer storms. This vineyard is definitely at a privileged place.

In this basin most vines are planted on the slopes. In autumn nights are cool and only the drying-up wind blows which develop the noble rot.

Overhanging the Valley, turned towards the south-southeast, and enjoying maximum sun exposure, amongst the 51 Grand crus hillsides the Zinnkoepflé is certainly the pinnacle of Alsace vineyard.

Thanks to its orientation, steep slope and sand and limestone soil, Grand Cru Zinnkoepfle wines present complexity of aroma, delicate, rich freshness and length, great capacity to keep, great capacity to have overmatured grapes.

Another hillside, the so-called Breitenberg areas take their name from the Alsatian words large (breit) and hill (berg).

This land is further to the west of the Vallée Noble, with a South-facing orientation.

In the past, this hill was crowned by one of the seven Vallée Noble chateaux.

Breitenberg wines offer finesse of aroma, elegance, good capacity to keep.

This philosophy is reflected in our regular and rigorous attention and observation. It is for this reason that integrated wine growing is a reality for 30 years within the domain.

Our soil is slightly ploughed to allow the vine roots to draw the resources they need. It is at this stage that the terroir begins to shape the wine.

In the vineyard grass naturally grow every other row which enables to control vine's strength and preserve the ecosystem. Only the grass under the row is cut.

It is in this way that yields are limited, with the constant goal of pushing the boundaries of quality whilst maintaining a constant respect for the environment.