Come for a walk and pay a visit to this magnificent site, so quiet and peaceful. You will be charmed by this vineyard that is dominated by the impressive and yet frightening ruin of the Ortenbourg castle (from 13th century).

The vineyard is exposed to south – southeast and benefits of a microclimate that is exceptionally hot and dry. Its geological structure consists mainly of granite sand with different thickness (many large rocks show on the surface) mixed with granite pebbles (up to 65% in some sections).

This ground is relatively poor and demanding but yet fertile – the vine plants are forced to get the power to grow from a well developed and deep growing root system.

The work of Jean-Paul Schmitt is based on understanding and respect for this exceptional environment. He is forcing himself to control the productivity (45 hl/ha in average), a policy of a reasonable fight against illness in the vineyard as well as a biological battle against the worms in the grapes.

This working attitude can be found as well in the actual production of the wine respecting the value of the soil.

The estate’s production knows the following classification:

• The vintage of Rittersberg, dry white wines and red wines
• The vintage of Rittersberg «réserve personnelle», red and white wines of very high maturity and from old wine stocks
• The vintage of Rittersberg «vendages tardives» and «sélection de grains nobles» are late harvest wines from the best areas and often older than 50 years.

Jean-Paul Schmitt’s goal is to offer his customers wines that are authentically, healthy and a reflection of this exceptional and marvellous vineyard.

Only the good quality grapes are manually harvested and then the entire grapes are pressed for long time with low pressure in order to respect the vintage as well as the individuality of each wine: this wine-grower is making every effort to bring to perfection what nature created.

In 2003, Bernd Koppenhöfer joined Jean-Paul Schmitt with the goal to offer our customers all over the whole world the best wines from Alsace.