Domaine Josmeyer

In 1854 Aloyse Meyer, restauranteur, gourmet and « courtier en vins » decided to extend his father’s activities in the wine trade by becoming a negociant and set about extending the reputation of the best local terroirs, particularly those of Brand and Hengst, now recognised as Grand Crus.

It was in 1933 that his son, Joseph Meyer succeeded him. A fervent patriot and ardent promoter of quality wines, he was one of the élite of the wine world. The Second World War and the Occupation forced him to hand over the reins prematurely to his eldest son, Hubert in 1941.

Holder of a diploma in œnologie, Hubert was a disciplined man and a perfectionist. An excellent wine-maker, he decided to diversify and launched into the export market. As supplier to the Navy, his wines travelled far and wide to Mers-el-Kebir, Hai Phong, Dakar, Diego Suarez and Tahiti. In 1963 he decided to add the first three letters of his father’s Christian Name to the family name, thus creating the brand Josmeyer. Heavily involved in every area of the profession and local affairs, he held a number of presidential posts. He died in 2005.

In 1966 his eldest son, Jean took over the running of the family business. In charge of the wine making and the export markets, he brought modernity to many aspects of the Company as well as adding creativity in his use, from 1987, of works by contemporary artists for the labels – thus was born the « Artists » series. With the help of Christophe Ehrhart he decided in 2000 to switch the production of the whole domaine to organic and bio-dynamic culture. A wine-maker par excellence and a wine « poet » he lifted the domaine Josmeyer into the élite of teh Vins d’Alsace. Since 2007 he has been Chairman of the Board.

Director, Christophe Ehrhart, is in charge of the vineyards and international relations since 1995. Indefatigable traveller and champion of biodynamic culture, he is flying the colours of Josmeyer across the world.

The youngest of the family, Celine, after studying art and literature joined the team in 2004. She is responsible for the administration of the Company and for Public Relations. Since September 2010, she is the Managing Director of Josmeyer

Holder of diplomas in viticulture and œnologie, Isabelle, daughter of Jean joined the family business in 1994 to support her father in the cellars and on the home market, particularly that of restauration. A member of the Board, she is responsible for the vinification and blending of the cuvees.

Situated as it is at Wintzenheim, near Colmar, our Domain has the benefit of an exceptional micro-climate and one of the lowest annual rainfall in the whole of France. The Domain extends to some 28 hectares (28% Riesling, 24% Pinot Blanc & Auxerrois, 21% Pinot Gris, 19% Gewurztraminer et 10% pour les Sylvaner, Muscat & Pinot Noir) and has always been cultivated with respect for nature.

Towards the end of the nineties, with a view to excellence driven by Christophe EHRHART, the vineyards were turned over to fully organic and bio-dynamic culture. In 2004 we received the AB (agriculture biologic) certification. This alternative route, more demanding and expensive than conventional viticulture, allows man to work in harmony with the sky, the earth and the vines. This close relationship between these four elements produces superb grapes which, in their turn, give birth to deep, balanced wines with a unique personality.

This balance of sky to earth to plant to man is the result of careful and conscientious work in the vineyard based on these 4 essential elements.

1°. Respect for the soil and fertilisation

Not merely a support, a well-balanced and living soil is essential for plants to flourish in harmony with nature’s rhythms. We work the soil to optimise the inter-relationship of air and water. One row of vines in two is left to develop naturally to produce a greater diversity of flora and fauna. Furthermore the competition from other plants that develop as a result of this practice encourages the vines to send roots deeper into the soil for nourishment.

We prepare our own biodynamic compost which we use in the Autumn in small quantities (1 to 3 tonnes/hectare) and this encourages a rich and varied range of micro-organisms. Vines thus cultivated are able to express the character of the terroir naturally.

2°. Vines

To achieve maximum diversity and complexity of fruit we only plant vines grafted from our very best old vines. We pay particular attention to the way the grafts adapt to the particular soil and climate where they are planted. Our minimum planting density is 5200 to the hectare which we view as the minimum for the full expression of the mineral complexity of our terroir. Equally we give our young vines all the time they need to root properly to ensure both quality and longevity.

3°. Care of the vines

Instead of the systematic use of chemicals, which behave very much in the same way as antibiotics in humans with all the problems that brings, we use plants and preparations to help the vines find their natural balance. We use concoctions of nettles, willow and horsetail as a kind of herbal « tea » in order to reduce the need for copper and sulphur. These preventive measures, given in rhythm with the phases of the moon, help to reinforce the vines’ natural immunity. Topping is only carried out once the new growth is developed in order to avoid the growth of secondary buds and thus to develop a natural, open and airy canopy.

4°. The Grapes

Our work as wine - grower is to ensure that every one of our 150,000 vines our encouraged to bring to each of their grapes, their children, all the unique characteristics of our terroirs. It is only once all these elements have come to full maturity that we start our picking which is entirely carried out by hand.
Thus begins the delicate work of raising these elements, through fermentation and all the many processes needed to the eventual birth of our unique and inimitable wines. With no additions of yeast, sugar or enzymes, our vinification has the sole aim of bringing the grape to the bottle in a wine to enjoy throughout its life.

Complete mastery of yields associated to a willingness to respect nature and the environment give one of the keys to the finesse and unique character of the Josmeyer wines. Selected, picked and sorted by hand, the grapes are then crushed in pneumatic presses. This slow pressing, under low pressure, ranges from 3 to 8 hours and ensures extraction, albeit gently, of all the aromatic subtleties of the grapes.

After a rapid « débourbage », the must is transferred to thermo regulated tanks where they start their fermentation naturally without chaptilization or the addition of yeast. Thereafter this fermentation continues, for the most part, in our 100 year old wooden casks (which contain anywhere from 1000 to 6000 litres). Once fermentation is complete the first racking takes place. Our wines are kept on their lees in oak casks. Stabilisation takes place naturally during the winter. Depending on their individual structure and character our wines are stocked for a period ranging from a matter of weeks to several years.

Aviation is the proof that where there’s a will there’s a way.

K. WINSOR

I have been thinking about the words “The Great Travellers” for a while to replace our classic range. The Great Travellers … What a symbol! It’s the dream to leave everything for the Unknown, the exaltation to get over our limits, the ecstasy to surpass ourselves. This simple phrase, which carries out our history, pays homage to adventurers of all periods, past or future.

I met Daniel VIENE some months ago, and it’s when I looked at his book that I discovered his planes. They reminded me of Blériot, Lindbergh, Mermoz, Saint-Exupéry, all these aviators, a little bit crazy, who soared in the air wholeheartedly to tame the sky aboard planes, which seem today so small and fragile. I had finally found my « Great Travellers ».

However, human beings are not the only ones to travel. Our bottles like seeking adventures too and they take many routes to reach and conquer you. Some are on the roads while others are braving seas and oceans. Few of them are flying in the sky but all of them wish they could. Like Icarus, they dream of touching the sun. Or the moon! Our bottles have wings. The wings of desire, the wings of pleasure, the wings of freedom.