Engelberg

🇫🇷 France

Grand Cru Rare find

Angel Mountain - FIRST mention of "noble wines" in Alsace (884 AD), Jurassic limestone quarry reveals 178-million-year-old seabed.

0 venues 0 trails

Region profile

History

In 884 AD, Benedictine monks from Honau Abbey described "Nobilis vinis" from this terroir - FIRST mention of noble wines in Alsace. Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg cited tithe in 1251. Former quarry exposes 178-million-year Jurassic seabed. Not among original 24 Grand Crus; added 1992.

Climate
Jurassic limestone-marl (178-170 million years old); steep south-facing at 250-300m; porous clay-limestone only 40-60cm deep
Signature wines
Domaine Bechtold Engelberg Riesling (~$35) - biodynamic pioneer; 1,140+ years of documented "noble wine" history
What sets it apart
FIRST documented "noble wines" in Alsace (884 AD); geological quarry exposes 178-million-year seabed; fossilized mollusk bore-holes visible

Facts

  • 14.80 hectares
  • FIRST mention of "Nobilis vinis" (noble wines) in Alsace - 884 AD
  • geological quarry reveals 178-million-year-old Bajocian seabed with fossilized mollusk bore-holes

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026