Domaine Paul Blanck

The Blanck family's roots in Alsace stretch back to the late 16th century, with their connection to the Kientzheim vineyards beginning in the early 19th century. What started as farming a few family-owned parcels grew into a fully-fledged estate that has remained true to its origins. The domaine is intent on producing wines that express the unique character of each terroir, reflecting the interplay of geology, climate, and varietal in each bottle. Frédéric and Philippe are grandsons of Paul Blanck and operate under the watchful eye of their fathers, Bernard and Marcel.

• The Blanck family is among the pioneers of the Grand Cru classification movement in Alsace, with Marcel Blanck playing a role in supporting the appellation framework
• The estate is located at 32 Grand'Rue, Kientzheim, within the medieval walls of the village and close to the Confrérie de Saint-Etienne, Alsace's wine fraternity
• Vineyards span from flat plain parcels through lieux-dits to Grand Cru hillside sites, giving roughly one-third each in plaine, crus, and Grands Crus
• Frédéric manages viticulture and winemaking while Philippe handles external relations, visits, and sales

Domaine Paul Blanck is certified organic and farms without the use of chemical insecticides or synthetic fertilizers. Sustainable practices have been embedded in the estate's approach for decades, with grass cover established since 1980, full soil tillage, and 100% manual harvesting across all parcels. The winemaking philosophy is one of minimal intervention, allowing each terroir to speak as clearly as possible in the finished wine.

• Grass cover between vine rows has been maintained since 1980, supporting soil structure and biodiversity
• All grapes are harvested manually; juice is extracted with an air-bag press using slow, gentle pressing to avoid crushing stalks and pips
• Wines rest on fine lees until bottling; Schlossberg Riesling is aged in large oak barrels for approximately 12 months before release
• The estate operates as an independent grower (vigneron independant), meaning no purchased grapes enter the cellar

The five Grands Crus in the Blanck portfolio each offer a distinct geological identity. Schlossberg, the largest of Alsace's 51 Grands Crus at 80 hectares and the first to be officially classified in 1975, sits on a steep south-facing slope of migmatitic granite above Kientzheim, rising from 235 to 430 meters altitude and requiring terraced farming. Furstentum, lying on an escarpment directly above the village, is prized for its complexity and concentration across multiple grape varieties. Wineck-Schlossberg, Sommerberg, and Mambourg round out a portfolio of exceptional diversity.

• Schlossberg soils are sandy-loam over migmatitic granite (biotite granite of Kaysersberg), shallow at 30-40 cm depth, poor in fine elements but rich in coarse sand and minerals
• Schlossberg's steep gradient requires terraces; over a thousand metres of retaining walls built in the Middle Ages have been patiently restored
• Furstentum covers 30.5 hectares above Kientzheim and delivers broad, opulent wines from all four permitted Grand Cru varieties
• Riesling is the dominant variety on Schlossberg, where granite provides aromatic purity and finesse without the opulence of marl-limestone soils

The Blanck range is structured around three tiers: an everyday 'Classique' line of varietal wines from plain and younger-vine parcels; single-vineyard lieux-dits wines from Patergarten, Altenbourg, Rosenbourg, and Grafreben; and Grand Cru bottlings from all five classified sites. The estate grows Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Chasselas, and Pinot Noir. Grand Cru wines are characterized by early appeal combined with genuine aging potential, particularly the Schlossberg Riesling.

• Classique wines are typically dry, variety-expressive, and drawn from younger vines or plain-grown fruit; they offer excellent value for money
• Schlossberg Riesling is chiseled and mineral, with a floral and citrus character in youth that evolves toward stony, honeyed complexity after five or more years
• Furstentum delivers opulent, broad wines with notable concentration; the Gewurztraminer Vieilles Vignes and Pinot Gris from this site are among the estate's most acclaimed
• Lieux-dits wines such as Patergarten and Rosenbourg showcase the estate's commitment to terroir specificity below Grand Cru level

Domaine Paul Blanck is widely regarded as one of the principal ambassadors for Alsace wine, representing the region's commitment to terroir-driven, grape-variety-expressive winemaking. The Blanck family was among the initiators of the Alsace Grand Cru classification movement. Philippe regularly represents the estate externally, while Frédéric remains focused on vine and cellar work. The estate is a 'vigneron independant', welcoming visitors directly and sharing its passion for Alsace's terroirs.

• The Blanck family played a role in championing the Grand Cru classification, with the Schlossberg becoming the first official Alsace Grand Cru by decree on 20 November 1975
• Around 80% of production is exported, with the United States and Benelux countries among the most important markets
• Schlossberg Riesling from Paul Blanck has received high praise from critics including Wine Advocate (94 points for the 2014) and Wine Enthusiast (95 points)
• The estate is a founding reference point for quality-conscious Alsace winemaking, balancing traditional methods with certified organic standards

Since taking control in the mid-1980s, Frédéric and Philippe Blanck have deepened the estate's terroir philosophy while building its international reputation. Their fathers, Bernard and Marcel Blanck, remain involved in the business. The model balances rigorous viticulture with genuine hospitality: tastings are freely available to individual visitors at the estate cellar in Kientzheim, and vineyard tours can be arranged by appointment. The estate represents a successful multi-generational approach where sustainable innovation enhances rather than compromises traditional quality.

• Frédéric and Philippe are the grandsons of Paul Blanck, representing the third generation to lead the estate
• The estate produces Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles in suitable vintages, showing the full range of quality possible in Alsace
• Tastings are open to individual visitors free of charge; group tours and vineyard visits are available by appointment
• The Blanck range spans everyday Classiques through to age-worthy Grand Cru wines, making the estate accessible across all experience levels