All good stories must come to an end. Yet some end with a true fireworks display! After weeks of patience, we officially made the final secateur cuts of this vintage.
To wrap up this harvest at Domaine Schaeffer-Woerly, nature offered us the greatest gift of all. We picked two exceptional Vendanges Tardives (Late Harvest) wines under breathtaking autumn light. Here is a look back in pictures at these final two timeless days in Dambach-la-Ville.
Thursday: The Finesse of Riesling Vendanges Tardives
Before drawing the curtain, our most precious grapes were still hanging on the vines. We had deliberately left them to ripen to the extreme under the October sun. That is the secret to achieving this famous over-ripeness.
On Thursday, October 15th, we began this grand finale by picking our Riesling Vendanges Tardives. Seeing the exceptional health of the grape clusters was truly moving! The berries are golden and brimming with sugar. Yet they have retained that magnificent crystalline acidity typical of our granite terroir. That is the magic of a great age-worthy Riesling: combining candied fruit richness with razor-sharp freshness.
Friday at Dawn: Dambach-la-Ville Under a Pink Sky
On Friday morning, the alarm rang early for our very last day of harvest. However, the spectacle awaiting us in the vineyards was worth every early morning in the world!
We arrived at our plots just seconds before daybreak. The village of Dambach-la-Ville was still sleeping under a blazing sky. In the distance, the sun was just about to rise behind the bluish ridge of the Black Forest. It was a suspended moment, full of serenity.
The Grand Finale: Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives, True “Pink Gold”
Under the newly risen sun, we reached our final plot. It was time to harvest the king of indulgence: Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives.
The dry, bright weather of recent weeks has worked wonders. Literally sun-dried and shriveled on the vine, the Gewurztraminer berries have concentrated their sugars and aromas. They now burst with notes of exotic fruits, sweet spices, and honey. Watching the harvest tubs fill with these purple, wrinkled clusters—with Dambach-la-Ville in the background—brought pride and gratitude to every face on the team.
While This New Vintage Ages… Time for a Tasting!
The wine press has turned one last time. Calm is gently returning to the vineyard as it puts on its golden autumn colors. Now, the magic will happen slowly in the cellar. In the silence of our oak casks and vats, this new vintage will gradually come to life.
However, you do not need to wait months to taste the fruit of our organic farming work! As cooler days and the holiday season approach, our current vintages are ready to elevate your dining table:
Want to experience it in person? Come visit our winery!
Are you traveling along the Alsace Wine Route? Step through the doors of our estate in Dambach-la-Ville. We will be delighted to let you taste our wines, including our prestigious Vendanges Tardives and Frankstein Grands Crus. We will gladly share the stories of this harvest with you in person!
Far from Alsace? Our online shop is open!
Bring the granite terroir of Dambach-la-Ville straight to your home. Are you looking for the perfect foie gras or dessert pairing with our Vendanges Tardives? Or perhaps a great dry Riesling for your seafood? Order our organic wines directly from our family estate.
A huge thank you to our entire team of grape pickers for their hard work and great spirits. Wishing you all a wonderful autumn, and see you very soon over a glass of wine!