Rangen de Thann

🇫🇷 France

Grand Cru Ultra-rare

Alsace's most extreme Grand Cru - volcanic soil, 68° slopes, southernmost and highest vineyard

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Region profile

History

Renowned since 12th-13th centuries. Philosopher Michel de Montaigne praised it during 1580-81 grand tour. Empress Maria Theresa's court drank more Rangen than Thann could produce. Abandoned by early 1970s - ravaged by weeds and feral vines. Bernard Schoffit (1986) and Zind-Humbrecht revived it. Olivier Humbrecht MW (first French MW) farms Clos Saint Urbain monopole with 10,000 vines/ha.

Climate: Volcanic greywacke soil (unique in Alsace); south-facing 68° slopes at 350-450m; Thur River fog enables noble rot; mistral-free microclimate
Signature wines: Zind-Humbrecht Clos Saint Urbain - monopole on volcanic greywacke; Olivier Humbrecht MW's benchmark; smoke and ash minerality unlike any other Alsace
What sets it apart: ONLY volcanic Grand Cru in Alsace; 68° slopes (steepest); Montaigne praised 1580; Maria Theresa's favorite; abandoned 1970s, resurrected by Zind-Humbrecht

Facts

22.13 hectares (fully planted)
abandoned until 1970s
Zind-Humbrecht and Schoffit each own 5.5ha
10,000 vines/ha density
Swiss Alps visible on clear days

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