Hengst

History

Name "Hengst" means stallion - heavy horses traditionally worked the heavy marl soil. Roman staging post remains from 1st century AD sit in middle of vineyard where horses were changed - experts believe this may be Alsace's FIRST viticultural area. First cited 9th century in Abbey of Murbach donation. Zind family owns parcels since WWII; oldest vines planted 1920s by grandfather Emile Zind.

At a glance

Climate

Calcareous marl with high lime and iron content; steep south-east slope at 270-370m; one of driest areas (Colmar 600mm/year)

Signature wines

Zind-Humbrecht Hengst Gewurztraminer - 60-year-old vines, 1920s massal selection; benchmark for variety; Josmeyer also legendary

What sets it apart

Possibly Alsace's FIRST vineyard (1st century Roman post); "Stallion" name from horse-worked soil; Gewurztraminer ideal terroir; Zind vines since 1920s

• 53 hectares
• classified Grand Cru November 1982
• Roman staging post remains (1st century AD)
• "Hengst" = stallion (heavy horses worked soil)
• Zind-Humbrecht oldest vines from 1920s