Gustave Lorentz

During the Thirty Years’ War, the Lorentz family still wasn’t based in Bergheim, but in the town of Ribeauvillé. Michel Lorentz, “A la Fleur” inn-keeper having received the right of citizenship. Adam Lorentz (1667-1744) worked in the gourmet sector here. Finally, Michel Lorentz is cited as cooper in 1725.

A branch of the Lorentz family moved to Bergheim in 1748 following the marriage of Jean-Georges Lorentz, winemaker and farrier.
His son, Pierre Lorentz, married the young daughter of the mayor of the time (Nicolas Schmitt). Pierre Lorentz’s functions in the judiciary made him the victim of some grudges and he was not sheltered from malicious acts: thus 160 feet of his vines were cut off flush, the others at 20cm (one foot).

The dynasty continued its ascension with Jacques Lorentz born in 1798 and Charles Lorentz born in 1836. And the Bergheim estate continued to expand from 329ha in 1836 to almost 400ha in 1893.

Born on 2nd June 1869, only shortly before Alsace became part of the German empire, Gustave Lorentz father have a strong impetus to the family business. But times were hard: a series of poor harvests discouraged wine-growing. More specifically, Alsace wines were used as base wines for blending with German wines. The vineyard changed due to the appearance of the phylloxera in 1905.

It was in this difficult context that Charles Lorentz father was born on 23rd May 1903.

It was after the second world war that Charles Lorentz son (born in 1934) developed the family business by buying the business of several estates thus benefiting from the best facilities. 
When Charles Lorentz hand the reins of the business over to his son Georges in 1995, the estate covered 32ha and bought grapes produced on the 120 hectares of the Bergheim land.

Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim

On the outside the medieval town of Bergheim, the vineyard extends along the south side of the hillock Grasberg, steeply sloping at an altitude of 220-320 metres.
At the heart of the field of faults in Ribeauvillé, limestone and marls from the Jurassic period overlap and, underneath consists of red calcareous clay soils that are very stony, shallow and rich in fossils.

The south-facing exposure, the remoteness of the Vosges front, the steep slope down to the small stream, the Bergenbach, favouring a warm and temperate micro climate, very regular temperatures and humidity.

Privileged grape varieties

Due to its unity and typicality, the vineyard, with an area of 35.06 ha favours Gewurztraminer and Riesling.

Remembered by the connoisseur…

Proud of the Bergheim vineyards, Altenberg has been known for its fine wines since the 12th century. Many quotes in the town records highlight its exceptional viticulture qualities.

Typical qualities

The perfect combination between a full and powerful body, a delicate and subtle aromatic expression distinguish the Altenberg grands crus, excellent gastronomic wines.

Grand Cru Kanzlerberg

Just outside the town of Bergheim, west of Altenberg, this locality faces south and south-west, on the significant enough slopes of the Kanzlerberg, at an average altitude of 250m.
The heavy clay-limestone soil is composed of grey and black gypsum marl from Keuper Muschelkalk limestone at the base. 

Privileged grape varieties

Over 3,23ha of this vineyard, the Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer and particularly the Riesling enjoy ideal conditions for great typicity. 

Remembered by the connoisseur…

In 1312, when the Order of Malta disappeared, who had an estate here, the growing of vines on this hill was already mentioned.
Proof of its exceptional quality, it was the subject of a separate vinification.

Typical qualities

The Grands Crus Kanzlerberg require an environment conducive to their ageing power and magnitude, which evokes the union of a heavy soil and flavours of the grape.

Alsatian Vineyard

The geographical location of the Alsatian Wine-growing region, at the crossroads of both Germanic and Roman influences, tells the story of growing from the beginning of our era by the Romans, then revived by the Merovingians and the Carolingians. Before the end of the first millennium, 160 Alsatian communities cultivated the vine and in the Middle Ages, the wines of Alsace were already among the most prestigious in Europe.

Alsatian viticulture reached its peak during the sixteenth century, but was really revived after the First World War when winemakers choose to produce wines made from traditional varieties.

From 1945 onwards, this policy was extended by the delimitation of the wine-growing region’s areas and the setting of strict rules for production and wine-making. Finally, it was crowned by the recognition of Alsace Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées in 1962, Alsace Grand Cru in 1975 and Crémant d’Alsace in 1976.