DOMAINE GESCHICKT
Ammerschwihr
Alsace
This familial estate is based in Ammerschwihr, only a few kilometres north of Colmar, and was started is the early 1950s by Bernadette Meyer and Jérôme Geschickt.
The vineyards are spread between Ammerschwihr village including 4 hectares around the unique Grand Crus of Kaefferkopf and Wineck-Schlossberg.
Today Domaine is run by Arnaud Geschickt and Aurélie Fayolle who have been running the estate for over 10 years. The estate initially started working with biodynamic practices in 1993, thanks to the input of Arnaud’s father, Christophe Geschickt, who was an oenologist. However, the couple Arnaud and Aurélie, have certainly played a big part in carrying out this legacy. From their dedication to biodynamic farming, as well as working the land with horses, or planting a series of trees around the vineyards, promoting biodiversity and a healthy competition between the vines.
Using the classic Alsatian varieties, releases range from a series of cuvées at village level to single parcel bottlings, expressing the singularity of each terroir. Their range is always exciting with different mono-varietal expressions as well as complex blends.
Aurélie and Arnaud have very much dedicated to a hands off approach in the cellar. They work with spontaneous fermentations as well as carrying no additions or manipulations.
Their forward-thinking and meticulous approach in the vineyards translates to incredible natural wines, with impressive mineral depth, length and concentration.
Last but not least, they have certainly mastered their skin contact creations and have introduce us to some of the most perfumed and textural orange wines.
One Drop
Vintage 2022
Style Sparkling
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Chasselas, Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone, Granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The grapes are sourced from a the vineyards of a friend in the village. This is a blend of Chasselas, Muscat and Gewüztraminer that have been macerated on the skins for 30 days, with the direct press juice of Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Gewüztraminer. The wine is bottled in crown cap with 6g/l of residual sugar in order to obtain a light effervescence.
Tasting Note The One Drop is a collaborative cuvée with part of the profits being donated to a humanitarian association ‘Un Espoir Pour Gossi/Gao’. This organisation was create as an aid to the Sub-Saharan population as support to their health and educational independence. More information on the project is available here.
This delicious fun blend is bursting with notes of peach, acacia and chamomile, lending on to a fun effervescent palate with a nice pithy grip from the skin contact. Very moreish and refreshing.
Obi Wine Keno Bulle
Vintage 2022
Style Sparkling
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Pinot Auxerrois, Riesling, Muscat
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, Limestone, Granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking A blend of three different varieties sourced from within the commune of Ammerschwihr. The Pinot Auxerrois and Riesling are pressed directly. The Muscat is macerated on the skins for 15 days. After this period, the latter is pressed and blended with the other juice. The wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts and bottled towards the end of fermentation. The wine is disgorged. No sulphites were added.
Tasting Note Soft white tea, aromatic candid peach, creamy hint, very textured with toasty floral complexity.
Riesling
Vintage 2020/21
Style White
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Riesling
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone, Granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Most of the juice is direct pressed with 10% seeing a maceration of 15 days. After this period both juices are blended and spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts. Soutirage and élevage take place in foudres, for one and two years respectively. The wine is delicately bottled with no filtration. An addition of small dose of sulfur was necessary during élevage.
Tasting Note Beautiful heady zesty citrus, flint and smoky tangerine peel. Great concentration.
Pino
Vintage 2019
Style White
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The collection of different Pinots from the estate has been blended and direct pressed together. Co-fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Both fermentation and élevage are processed in Foudre for 18 months. Unsulfured and unfiltered.
Tasting Note Yellow apple, poached pears, Linden tea apple jam. Concentrated flavours, crisp acidity and orange pith on the finish.
Kaefferkopf Grand Cru, Pfulben
Vintage 2017
Style White
Region Kaefferkopf GC, Ammerschwihr
Varieties Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris
ABV
Soils Granite, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Whole clusters are direct pressed and spontaneously fermented together. The wine is co-fermented with native yeasts. Both fermentation and élevage are processed in an old Foudre for 18 months. The wine is unfiltered, unfined and no sulfur was added.
Tasting Note Warm citrus, apple jam, pineapple with hints of chamomile and linden tea.
Le Schlouk
Vintage 2022
Style White
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Gewüztraminer, Riesling
ABV 14.5%
Soils Clay, limestone, granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Made with a blend of 80% Gewüztraminer and 20% Riesling. The fruit is direct pressed and spontaneously fermented. This is followed by one year of élevage in Foudres. The wine is unfined and unfiltered and no sulphites were added.
Tasting Note Schlouk in the Alsatian dialect means ‘a sip’. This beautiful aromatic blend is fun and crisp showcasing notes of fresh apricot, guava and acacia. The palate is vibrant and mouthwatering.
Phenix
Vintage 2022
Style Orange
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Pinot Gris blend
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, limestone, granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking 80% Pinot Gris blended with all the other white grape varieties grown in the estate. This blend changes every year. Grapes are de-stemmed and macerated on the skins for 30 days. Maceration lasts for 6 months in neutral stainless steel tanks. Unfiltered and no sulphites were added.
Tasting Note Nectarine, freshly picked strawberry, orange zest, chalky tannins and spicy finish. Aromatic and intense.
Wineck-Schlossberg Grand Cru
Vintage 2020
Style Orange
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Riesling
ABV
Soils Granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Made of Riesling grapes sourced from a Grand Cru parcel. This is one of the smallest Grand Crus in Alsace, and one of highest, a south facing slope at 400m above sea level. The grapes have seen 30 days of skin contact and have been spontaneously fermented with native yeasts. This is followed by ageing in amphora for 12 months. The wine unfined and unfiltered and not sulfur was added at any stage.
Tasting Note
Size Also in Magnums
Kaefferkopf Grand Cru, Purberg
Vintage 2021
Style White
Region Kaefferkopf GC, Ammerschwihr
Varieties Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc
ABV
Soils Granite, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking This blend is composed of 80% Gewürztraminer which is de-stemmed and macerated. The remaining 10% Pinot Gris and 10% Riesling are direct pressed and the juice is added to the macerated Gewüztraminer, to soften the fruit and tannins. The wine is then aged for a total of 12 months in Foudre.
Tasting Note A rare concentrated skin contact style with fruit sourced from the calcareous soils of Purberg within the Kaefferkopf Grand Cru.
Pinot Noir
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV 13%
Soils Clay, Limestone, Granite, Blue marls
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The grapes that make up this cuvée come from two plots: Soot and Hochstaden. One is planted on typically clay and limestone soils, whilst the other is on almost pure granite. After rigorous sorting at harvest, the selected grapes undergo a 8 day maceration, finishing the sugars in Foudres, where the wine is then aged for one year. The wine is unfined, unfiltered and without any added SO2.
Tasting Note Ripe red cherry, goji berry, lavender and smoky rose. Delicate, floral and savoury.
Pinot Noir, K
Vintage 2022
Style Red
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, Limestone, Granite
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The grapes that make up this cuvée come entirely from the Kaefferkopf Grand Cru (hence the letter ‘K’ in the name) though the legislation does not allow it to be labelled under the Grand Cru appellation. After a rigorous selection in the vineyard, the whole bunches undergo a short 3 day maceration in cuve, followed by maturation in demi-muid for 8 months. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note An incredible expression of Pinot Noir, elegant and poised, with a depth a concentration to match that of some top producers in the Côte d’Or.
Beetle Juice
Vintage NV
Style White wine and Juice blend
Region Kaefferkopf GC, Ammerschwihr
Varieties Gewurztraminer and Cherry Juice
ABV
Soils Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking A blend of skin contact Gewürztraminer and Cherry Juice. The grapes used are sourced from a parcel in the Kaefferkopf Grand Cru.
Tasting Note Beautiful notes of raspberry, pomegranate lend to tropical aromas of mango and guava. On the palate it is equally fragrant and has a lovely dry finish with floral notes and spiced red fruit coming through.
Scarabée X Cantillon
Vintage 2021
Style Lambic Beer
Region Ammerschwihr, Alsace
ABV 6.5%
Production A blend of two year old lambic beer run through Gewüztraminer pomace sourced from Geschickt’s Kaefferkopf Grand Cru site.
Tasting Note An extremely limited release in collaboration with the legendary Brasserie Cantillon.