Winemaker’s Dinner – Domaines Spielmann & Rateau

The Spielmann Estate, in Bergheim, Alsace, is the legacy of a family history spanning more than half a century, linked to the former gypsum quarry operated by the family for over a century. After studying viticulture in Champagne and Burgundy, followed by experience in California and Australia, Sylvie Spielmann returned to the family estate to attune herself to this exceptional terroir. Committed to terroir-driven viticulture and biodynamic farming that respects wildlife, flora and future generations, the estate makes the most of Bergheim’s gypsum-rich marl, which produces deep, complex wines with excellent ageing potential. Its vineyards are situated within the Altenberg terroir, renowned for its wines since the 12th century.

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Coming from a Burgundian wine-growing background and the son of an entrepreneur, Jean-Claude Rateau established his estate in 1979, starting with a few family-owned vineyards, which he gradually expanded to the 8 hectares under cultivation today. Committed from the outset to environmentally friendly viticulture, he has helped to establish such practices at local and regional levels, working alongside researchers such as Claude Bourguignon, a soil microbiologist. With a passion for terroirs, he vinifies each of his 15 plots separately – spread across 12 different terroirs – and seeks high levels of ripeness to produce expressive wines that are a delight to drink straight from the bottle. The estate has been run biodynamically for 30 years and is certified organic (Ecocert).