The Sommerberg Grand Cru of Niedermorschwihr
History
Historically, the vineyards of Niedermorschwihr have been recognized since the 13th century. The name "Sommerberg" has appeared since the 17th century to define this hillside of vines. The pilgrims of the Trois Epis have greatly contributed to the development and reputation of this vineyard. Indeed, the vines followed the pilgrims during their journey, and they willingly took comfort in the village cellars during their travels. At that time, it was the noble families of Habsburg and Hohlandsberg who shared the property of Niedermorschwihr.
During the 20th century, winegrowers headed towards valley floor vineyards seeking easier vineyards to cultivate and higher yields, thus abandoning the steep Sommerberg. Winegrowers wishing to produce terroir wines, revalued the steep vines of Sommerberg. The fruit of this work and their ambition was honoured in 1983, with the recognition of Sommerberg in the first classification of Grands Crus d’Alsace.
Terroir
Sommerberg (the hills of Summer) extends over 28.36 ha at the foot of the Trois-Épis hamlet, south of Katzenthal and north of Niedermorschwihr, on a steep hillside (up to 45°), culminating at almost 400 meters above sea level.
Its granite substrate with two micas, known as Turckheim granite, in an advanced state of disaggregation (granite arenas) is rich in minerals and highly suitable for growing vines. Biotite granite decomposes with the microbiological activity of the soil and produces very interesting clays. Unlike Brand, where the bedrock is more exposed, the soil of Sommerberg has more depth. The roots of the vines can therefore penetrate it more easily and quite vigorously.
The Sommerberg benefits from a steep southern exposure. However, the village of Niedermorschwihr is in the shadow of the Vosges earlier than Turckheim, the Sommerberg is therefore slightly less early than the Brand.
The Sommerberg wines from Domaine Zind Humbrecht
Wines
In 2010, Pierre Emile acquired a small vineyard of 0.32 ha in this Grand Cru. After the uprooting of these vines and three years of resting of the soil, this plot was replanted with Riesling in 2013, at high density (9500 vines / ha). The replanting was done from massal selections from a beautiful plot of Riesling in the Grand Cru Brand. This plot is located due south on the lieu-dit Dudenstein (one of the places that make up the Grand Cru).
Given the very steep slopes of this vineyard, a large stone wall was rebuilt in the middle of the plot to facilitate winch work (as on the Rangen) and limit erosion. In 2023, the estate acquired plots located on the Sommerberg, Schorr and Herrenberg localities on this Grand Cru, bringing the total area exploited to 1.2 ha. A large part of these plots had to be pulled out to be able to replant them with Riesling after a certain period of rest.