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A LEGENDARY WINE ROUTE

Traveling along the roads of Alsace means exploring the oldest wine route in France. But where does this itinerary come from? What is the history of the Alsace Wine Route?

It all began on May 30, 1953, when the tourist office of Issenheim created a 170-kilometer route for a car rally held in the region. At that time, the race planned for two convoys to start simultaneously: one from the northern end of the Alsatian vineyard in Marlenheim, and the other from the south near the town of Thann. This event was a true highlight for both the press and winemakers, who quickly began offering wine tastings and guided visits along the route. The Alsace Wine Route was born.

Over the years, the Alsace Wine Route has grown in popularity, allowing winemakers from Bas-Rhin to Haut-Rhin to showcase the richness of their expertise. Since the 1950s, interest in this iconic route has continued to expand. Regional tourist offices promote the discovery of Alsace through a blend of wine culture, gastronomy, charming accommodations, castle visits, and cultural sites such as the vineyard museum in Kientzheim.

MUST-SEE REGIONS AND VILLAGES ON THE ALSACE WINE ROUTE

All roads in Alsace lead to wine, from north to south, crossing beautiful villages along the Vosges mountains:

Ribeauvillé, a wine-growing town since 1895, features some of the oldest cellars, three Grand Crus (Geisberg, Kirchberg, Osterberg), and three medieval castles.

Riquewihr, a true open-air museum village, offers a 17-kilometer vineyard trail across six communes, showcasing seven Grand Crus.

Kientzheim is home to the Alsace Wine Museum—an essential visit in any weather.

Among the most beautiful villages on the Alsace Wine Route, we recommend exploring several highlights:

Thann is known for its vineyard hikes, especially around the Rangen Grand Cru.
Sélestat is a key cultural and historical stop between Strasbourg and Colmar.
Hunawihr, a charming small village between Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, is famous for its castles and its stork reintroduction park.

Alsace is full of hidden gems such as Molsheim, Ammerschwihr, Turckheim, and Kaysersberg.

The Wissembourg region lies at the northern end of the Wine Route, offering stunning landscapes, neatly aligned vineyards, traditional half-timbered houses, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. Visitors can explore wine cellars and enjoy tastings of Alsace’s finest wines.

Located in the northern part of the Wine Route, the Cleebourg area is part of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park. This region features renowned vineyards around villages such as Cleebourg, Oberhoffen, Wissembourg, Rott, and Steinseltz, where you can taste a wide variety of Alsatian wines: white, red, rosé, and sparkling.

ROUTES BETWEEN VINEYARDS AND MOUNTAINS

To explore these wine towns, several routes are available. Two are particularly exceptional:

From Marlenheim to Thann

The Alsace Wine Route stretches over 170 km through scenic countryside. Marlenheim, in the north, is considered the gateway to the Alsatian vineyards. Along the way, you can visit wineries, picturesque villages, scenic viewpoints, castles, and over a hundred charming stops. Key highlights include Eguisheim, Hunawihr, Ingersheim, Mittelbergheim, and Riquewihr. The journey ends in Thann, at the southern gateway, where you can discover the unique soils that contribute to the richness of Alsace wines.

From Ribeauvillé to Colmar

The Wine Route offers breathtaking scenery. Ribeauvillé, along with nearby Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr, is one of the most famous and beautiful villages on the route. In winter, its Christmas market is magical, while in spring and summer, blooming landscapes and traditional Alsatian houses create a stunning setting. On the way to Colmar, don’t miss Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Bennwihr. End your journey in Colmar, the capital of Alsace wines.

OTHER SCENIC ROUTES

From Obernai to Dambach-la-Ville

Vineyards at the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile are open to visitors. Along the route, discover charming villages with half-timbered houses such as Heiligenstein (famous for Klevener wine), Barr, Mittelbergheim, Andlau, and Dambach-la-Ville. Meet passionate winemakers and enjoy tastings of Grand Crus.

From Dambach-la-Ville to Ribeauvillé

Explore vineyards offering exceptional views of castles and landscapes. Visit wineries and discover villages like Scherwiller, Châtenois, and Bergheim.

From Colmar to Rouffach

Colmar is an essential stop, located in a region with an exceptional climate. Known for its traditional architecture, it also offers rich gastronomy: wine tastings, foie gras, Munster cheese, and more. From Herrlisheim to Pfaffenheim via Eguisheim, this section is rich in natural and historical heritage. Continue to Rouffach and visit the Isenbourg Castle.

From Rouffach to Thann

Rouffach charms visitors with its traditional houses and Saint-Léger Church, one of the finest Romanesque buildings in Alsace. Continue to Soultzmatt for a unique evening experience in a vineyard music hall. Further on, Guebwiller offers dramatic vineyard landscapes with four Grand Crus: Kessler, Kitterlé, Saering, and Spiegel. The journey ends beautifully in Thann, home to the famous Rangen vineyard.

WHICH ROUTE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Not sure which route to take? Start your journey by visiting Turckheim and Obernai to discover typical Alsatian villages. Then, from south to north, don’t miss Kaysersberg, Turckheim, Bergheim, and the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle—perfect for enjoying a glass of wine nearby.

Stop in Eguisheim for its wine taverns, and in Wettolsheim to explore excellent wineries such as Domaine Stentz-Buecher or Domaine Mann.

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