Alsace Grand Cru: 51 Vineyards, One Guide

Navigating Alsace's 51 classified Grand Cru vineyards with confidence and strategy

Updated April 2026 | By expertvin — Belgium's Wine Specialist

Alsace confuses people. The region produces white wines from multiple grape varieties (Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat), across a range of ripeness levels (from dry to vendange tardive), in a classification system that looks nothing like Burgundy. Americans trained on single-varietal California whites find Alsace inscrutable. But for collectors willing to learn, Alsace represents one of the world's greatest values: world-class white wines at fraction-of-Burgundy prices.

The Grand Cru hierarchy is the key. Since 1975, Alsace has recognized 51 vineyards of exceptional terroir, each producing wines of concentration and aging potential. Understanding which Grand Cru produces what — and how that Grand Cru compares to its neighbors — is essential. This guide maps Alsace's Grand Cru landscape. Explore our complete Alsace selection at expertvin.be, or visit 20hVin and La Cave du Lac to taste Grand Cru wines from multiple vineyard sites.

The Grand Cru Concept: Alsace's Vineyard Classification

Alsace's Grand Cru system is unique. Unlike Burgundy's complex terroir-based hierarchy, Alsace focuses on vineyard reputation and consistent quality across multiple producers. Each Grand Cru site is defined by specific soil characteristics that favor certain grape varieties. A single Grand Cru (say, Rangen) might produce exceptional Riesling and Gewürztraminer but less impressive Pinot Gris from the same terroir.

The 51 Grand Crus are divided geographically into four regions, each with distinct characteristics:

Northern Alsace Grand Crus (Bas-Rhin)

Steely, mineral Rieslings dominate. Key sites: Koesterbarg (Molsheim), Altenberg de Bergbieten (crystalline Riesling), Eichberg (dense, mineral). These vineyards produce dry, high-acidity wines built for aging. 10+ year drinking windows.

Central Alsace Grand Crus (Bas-Rhin)

Diverse geology. Famous Grand Crus: Schenkenbühl (powerful Gewürztraminer), Clos Zisser (mineral Riesling), Mambourg (versatile across varieties). Central Alsace balances northern mineral intensity with southern ripeness.

Southern Alsace Grand Crus (Haut-Rhin)

Richest, most voluptuous wines. Famous sites: Rangen (steep slate vineyard producing Gewürztraminer of extraordinary intensity), Clos Sainte-Hune (Riesling of legendary aging potential), Steingrubler (spicy, powerful). Southern Grand Crus show greater ripeness and weight.

The Varietal Question

A crucial distinction: each Grand Cru performs best with certain grape varieties. Rangen excels with Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Eichberg favors Riesling. Kastelberg produces stunning Riesling but less impressive Pinot Gris. When buying Alsace Grand Cru, the grape variety is as important as the vineyard name. The best bottles pair excellent terroir with the right variety.

The Legendary Grand Crus Every Collector Should Know

Among Alsace's 51 Grand Crus, several are internationally recognized for consistent excellence:

Rangen (Thann)

Alsace's most distinctive Grand Cru. Incredibly steep, south-facing granite vineyard producing Gewürztraminer and Riesling of massive intensity and personality. Gewürztraminer from Rangen is arguably France's greatest expression of the variety — more mineral and ageworthy than Alsatian versions. Age-worthy 15-30+ years. €30-80+ per bottle.

Clos Sainte-Hune (Hunawihr)

One of Alsace's most prestigious vineyard sites — famous for producing Riesling of legendary aging potential. Trimbach's monopole (sole producer) here is a benchmark reference: bone-dry, mineral, with the aging trajectory of great white Burgundy. A 2015 Trimbach Clos Sainte-Hune will age 20-30 years. €30-60 per bottle.

Kastelberg (Andlau)

Another legendary terroir, famous for Riesling of crystalline purity. The granite soils produce wines of unusual acidity and mineral precision. Faller and Ostertag are top producers. €25-50 per bottle.

Eichberg (Eguisheim)

Historic terroir producing elegant, mineral Riesling from limestone soils. The Grand Cru that converts people skeptical of Alsace — pure, dry, food-friendly, age-worthy 10-20 years. €20-45 per bottle.

Schenkenbühl (Riquewihr)

Produces Gewürztraminer of extraordinary weight and spice. This is Gewürztraminer for people who love the variety — not a delicate introductory wine, but a full-bodied, fragrant expression built for Asian cuisine and game birds. €25-50 per bottle.

Understanding Ripeness: Sec to Vendange Tardive

An Alsatian complexity: a single vineyard produces wines at different ripeness levels, from bone-dry (sec) to lusciously sweet (Selection de Grains Nobles — SGN). This is crucial for understanding pricing and pairing.

Sec (Dry)

The default style. Grand Cru Riesling or Gewürztraminer bottled dry, unmanipulated, at natural alcohol (typically 12-13%). These are wines for food pairing and aging. A Grand Cru Riesling sec from Rangen or Clos Sainte-Hune is a dinner wine for serious collectors.

Demi-Sec (Off-Dry)

Wines with residual sugar but not overtly sweet. Usually 15-20 g/L residual sugar. More common than true sec; some collectors prefer them for their suppleness and fruit expression.

Vendange Tardive (Late Harvest)

Late-harvested, richer wines with concentrated flavor and modest residual sugar. Not dessert wines, but dinner wines with stone fruit and honey notes. Often €30-60 per bottle. A Rangen Vendange Tardive Gewürztraminer is an exceptional anniversary dinner wine.

Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)

Botrytized dessert wines of extraordinary concentration — think liquid gold. Prices are premium (€50-150+ per 500ml bottle), but these are among the world's greatest dessert wines. Not for beginners, but collectors adore them.

Top Producers & Buying Strategy

Alsace's Grand Cru quality depends heavily on producer. Two vineyards, two producers, two dramatically different wines. Here's who to seek:

The Traditionalist Producers

Trimbach: Legendary house famous for dry, mineral Riesling. Their Clos Sainte-Hune monopole is a benchmark. Their Grand Cru selections are consistently excellent.

F.E. Trimbach: (separate operation) Produces Grand Cru from various sites with focused intensity.

Zind-Humbrecht: Respected producer known for biodynamic viticulture and pure, focused wines. Their Grand Cru range is excellent.

The Modernist/Qualitist Producers

Ostertag: Biodynamic pioneer producing Grand Cru of singular intensity and personality. Their Kastelberg Riesling is exceptional.

Deiss (Jean-Michel Deiss): Controversial but brilliant producer making Grand Cru from mixed plantings, creating wines of unusual complexity.

Faller (Domaine Weinbach): Family domain producing some of Alsace's most consistently excellent Grand Cru.

Value Strategy

Alsace Grand Cru is underpriced compared to Burgundy or Alsatian whites sold as "Grand Cru" by négociants (merchant houses). Buying directly from small producers offers better value than merchants. Many Alsatian producers are direct-sell only at 20hVin and La Cave du Lac — visit to taste before committing.