Wettolsheim domaine with Grand Cru Riesling and Gewürztraminer plus textured Pinot Noir bottlings.
The producer
Founded in Wettolsheim when Jean-Jacques Stentz and Simone Buecher married, Domaine Stentz-Buecher brings two vigneron family lines under one name. The range includes Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Hengst, Riesling Grand Cru Steingrubler and several Pinot Noir bottlings. Stéphane favours the mineral, taut character of Steingrubler, while Céline looks for Pinot Noir with fruit and chew, as in Old Oak. Granit is unfiltered and sulphur free, while Tradition uses long maceration and gentle filtration.
Known for
Taut Grand Cru Riesling and textured Pinot Noir
Notable facts
Domaine Stentz-Buecher was founded in 1975 by Jean-Jacques Stentz and Simone Buecher.
Riesling Grand Cru Steingrubler is marked by minerality and a taut character.
Pinot Noir Granit is unfiltered and sulphur free, with more than 15 months of barrel ageing.
Pinot Noir Tradition undergoes 15 to 20 days of maceration with twice daily punching down.
The story
Stéphane Changes Direction
In 1996, Stéphane joined Domaine Stentz-Buecher and immediately began moving the vineyards toward organic practices. The estate's vineyards expanded from 4 hectares to 13 hectares. Official AB certification for the viticulture arrived in 2007, followed by cellar certification in 2012. Stéphane's arrival also established one of the domaine's two stylistic preferences: he favours taut Riesling with mineral character, especially Grand Cru Steingrubler. His preferred wine combines a named site with the firm, mineral character that guides his work.
From the atlas
Domaine Stentz-Buecher
Wettolsheim domaine in Alsace, with Grand Cru Riesling and Gewürztraminer alongside Pinot Noir bottlings shaped by fruit, tannin and barrel ageing.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Alsace
Home village
Wettolsheim
Main grapes
Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir
Named Grand Cru wines
Riesling Grand Cru Steingrubler and Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Hengst
Defining feature
Two longstanding vigneron families united under one domaine
The Producer
One marriage created Domaine Stentz-Buecher. In 1975, Jean-Jacques Stentz and Simone Buecher married, uniting two longstanding vigneron families in Wettolsheim.
Their children Stéphane and Céline represent the fourth viticultural generation. Stéphane favours taut, mineral Riesling, especially Steingrubler. Céline prefers Pinot Noir with fruit and chew, as in Old Oak. The domaine's range brings these preferences together through named Grand Cru whites and several Pinot Noir bottlings.
Place
Wettolsheim is the home village of Domaine Stentz-Buecher, in Alsace. Its named white wines carry Grand Cru designations, with Gewürztraminer from Hengst and Riesling from Steingrubler.
In Alsace, Grand Cru identifies a classified vineyard site. The vineyard name on these bottles therefore forms part of the wine's designation alongside the grape variety.
Wines
The range sets two Grand Cru white wines beside a group of Pinot Noir bottlings. Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Hengst and Riesling Grand Cru Steingrubler represent the site named whites, while Pinot Noir Unfiltered, Granit, Tradition and Old Oak show different red wine treatments.
Pinot Noir Unfiltered has supple tannins and depth of flavour. Granit is unfiltered and sulphur free, aged in barrels for more than 15 months, with sour cherry and black cherry aromas. Tradition uses a long maceration with twice daily punching down, followed by gentle filtration to preserve primary aromas. Old Oak is associated with fruit and chew.
Final Word
Domaine Stentz-Buecher is a Wettolsheim domaine where Grand Cru Riesling and Gewürztraminer share the range with Pinot Noir made through distinct maceration, filtration and barrel choices.