Bowing the Vines in Dambach‑la‑Ville

Mild weather favorable for vineyard work

In recent days, unusually mild weather in Alsace has provided ideal conditions to resume work in the vineyards. With almost spring‑like temperatures and bright sunshine over the vineyards of Dambach‑la‑Ville, we were able to make progress on an important seasonal task: bowing the vines.

What is bowing the vines?

After the winter pruning, this work consists of bending and tying the vine wood onto the supporting wire to guide the future growth of the shoots. It is a precise and essential action to prepare the new vintage.

Spring arrives on the Alsace Wine Route

In the rows that surround Dambach‑la‑Ville, at the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, spring is beginning to settle in gently.

Sun behind a veil of clouds above the vineyards of Dieffenthal with Ortenbourg Castle in the background. — Sun piercing a veil of clouds over the slopes of Dieffenthal, with Ortenbourg Castle watching over the vineyards.

Bowing the vines: a key stage in the Alsace vineyard

In the vine work calendar, bowing the vines is a fundamental step. By arching the canes selected during pruning, the winemaker prepares the future vegetation and balances grape production for the coming season.

This work is done entirely by hand, row by row. It requires precision, patience and know‑how. In the Alsace vineyards, these traditional gestures have been passed down for generations and contribute to the quality of the wines produced on our Granitic terroir.

Thanks to the favorable weather in early March, conditions were ideal to make steady progress across the parcels.

Gauthier standing on a rock celebrating the end of vine arcing, surrounded by vineyards in Dambach‑la‑Ville. — Gauthier standing on a rock, celebrating the completion of arcing among the vineyards of Dambach‑la‑Ville.

Dambach‑la‑Ville, a jewel of the Alsace Wine Route

Working in the vineyards around Dambach‑la‑Ville is always a pleasure. Nestled between vine‑covered hills and medieval ramparts, this wine‑growing village is one of the treasures of the Alsace Wine Route.

When the sun lights up the slopes and nature slowly wakes after winter, the landscapes take on a very special dimension. Between heritage, terroir and vineyard, Dambach‑la‑Ville has all the qualities of one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace… and perhaps in France.

Alsatians posing in front of Domaine Schaeffer‑Woerly in Dambach‑la‑Ville, on the Alsace Wine Route. — Local Alsatians posing in front of Domaine Schaeffer‑Woerly, Dambach‑la‑Ville, on the Alsace Wine Route.

The vine: a rhythm that helps us put things in perspective

In sometimes turbulent times, the vine reminds us of one essential thing: nature follows its own rhythm.

Each season brings its work: winter pruning, arcing at the start of spring, then trellising, summer work and finally the harvest.

Working among the vines allows you to step back and focus on what matters. The vine keeps growing, the seasons pass and a new vintage is slowly being prepared in the vineyards of Dambach‑la‑Ville.

Four‑leaf clover on a wooden stake surrounded by vineyards in Dambach‑la‑Ville, Alsace. — A four‑leaf clover rests on a wooden stake, framed by the rolling vineyards of Dambach‑la‑Ville.

Buy our Alsace wines at the cellar door or online

If you would like to discover the result of this vineyard work, the Schaeffer‑Woerly estate welcomes you at the cellar door in Dambach‑la‑Ville for a tasting of our Alsace wines.

There you can discover our different cuvées from the Alsace vineyard: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Crémant d’Alsace, all made with passion on our granitic terroir.

Our wines are also available for online purchase so you can enjoy the flavors of Alsace at home.