Trimbach

History of Maison Trimbach

The history of Maison Trimbach is a viticultural epic dating back to 1626, when Jean Trimbach, newly granted bourgeois status in Riquewihr after arriving from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, laid the foundations of what would become a pillar of Alsace wines. Over twelve successive generations, the estate established itself as a devoted ambassador of the region, navigating wars and societal changes with unwavering rigour. In the 19th century, Jean-Frédéric Trimbach, born in 1811, elevated Alsatian viticulture by contributing to the renown of the crus from the Ribeauvillé fault zone, famous for its exceptional Rieslings.

His son, Frédéric Emile, born in 1839, marked a decisive turning point: a visionary and refined taster, he received a prestigious honorary diploma at the 1898 Brussels International Fair, recognising his wines and placing Trimbach on the world map of great wines. Shortly after the First World War, in 1920, Frédéric Théodore Trimbach, born in 1875 and co-founder of the Alsace Wine Merchants and Growers Union, transferred the estate to Ribeauvillé, consolidating its presence in this fairytale town. The following decades saw its rise: in 1919, the iconic label of the Riesling Clos Sainte Hune was born, while the Cuvée Frédéric Emile emerged in 1967. In the 1950s, Bernard Trimbach took over the reins following the death of his father Pierre in 1945, assisted by his brother Hubert, who excelled in international sales from 1963. Today, Pierre and Jean Trimbach, joined by the 13th generation — Anne (sales and export), Frédérique (purchasing and communications), Julien (vineyards and cellar) and Pauline (French market) — carry on this saga with confident modernity. 

Terroirs and Vineyards of Maison Trimbach

The Maison Trimbach estate spans approximately 60 hectares of owned vineyards, supplemented by grape purchases, covering more than 50 plots in villages such as Ribeauvillé, Bergheim and Hunawihr. Situated on the Ribeauvillé fault, this unique terroir offers a mosaic of predominantly limestone soils with marl-sandstone, granitic and migmatite influences, fostering an intense mineral expression in the wines. Protected by the Vosges mountains, the semi-continental microclimate ensures warm summers, dry autumns and low rainfall, ideal for optimal ripening. The vines, with an average age of 45 years, are planted at high density (5,500 to 6,000 vines/ha) through mass selection, with a predominance of Riesling (43%), followed by Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and a touch of Muscat. Committed to sustainable farming for decades, Maison Trimbach has been certified organic since 2023, integrating practices such as sheep grazing for ground cover, tree planting for biodiversity and natural treatments, ensuring wines that respect the terroir.

Winemaking at Maison Trimbach

Winemaking at Trimbach combines tradition and precision to bring out the best in each terroir. Manual harvests, carried out by a dedicated team, ensure rigorous grape selection, with moderate yields for optimal concentration. The juice, obtained by gentle pressing, flows by gravity into the cellar where it ferments slowly in stainless steel tanks or old oak foudres, without chaptalization or malolactic fermentation for the whites, thus preserving freshness and acidity. An ageing on fine lees, tailored to each cuvée, enhances structure and minerality, followed by gentle filtration before bottling the following spring. This meticulous approach, overseen by Pierre and Julien Trimbach, produces more than one million bottles annually — dry and taut wines, perfect for ageing. For enthusiasts seeking to purchase Alsatian wines, this traditional winemaking delivers cuvées of exemplary integrity, reflecting the soul of the estate.

The Cuvées of Maison Trimbach

Maison Trimbach offers its wines across five harmonious ranges, from the essential Classiques to the luxurious Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles, covering Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Blanc, Sylvaner and Muscat, with an emphasis on dry and gastronomic cuvées.

Among its jewels, the Riesling Clos Sainte Hune — a family monopole for over 200 years on 1.67 ha within the Grand Cru Rosacker in Hunawihr — is a world icon: south-southeast facing on deep limestone soils (Muschelkalk and Lettenkohle), with vines aged 50–80 years, it produces only 7,000 bottles annually of a dry, concentrated wine with an electric minerality. Harvested late in a cool, windy mesoclimate and vinified in stainless steel on lees for absolute purity, it displays infinite length, ripe fruit and a mystical energy. Legendary since its 1919 label, it reaches its peak after 8–10 years, with an exceptional ageing potential (up to 50 years for great vintages such as 1979). Perfect pairings with caviar or lobster.

Equally mythical, the Cuvée Frédéric Emile (or "FE"), a signature since 1967, blends the Grands Crus Geisberg and Osterberg from Ribeauvillé (south-southeast facing on calcareous marls and sandstone, vines aged 45 years), delivering a powerful, chiselled and mineral Riesling with an exceptional quality-to-price ratio. Dry and taut, with fine acidity and notes of white fruit, it ages 20 years and beyond, ideal with white meats or noble fish.

The Riesling & Grands Crus Collection is enriched by gems such as Mandelberg (stony soils, cellaring potential of 10–15 years), Schlossberg (granitic, vertical and delicate), Geisberg (intense and refined, 15–30 years) and Brand (sunny and precise, on two-mica granite). These cuvées, often exclusive and allocated to the finest tables, embody the Trimbach style: elegant, balanced and terroir-driven. 

Maison Trimbach, with its centuries-old heritage and commitment to exceptional Alsace wines, invites enthusiasts to explore a range where balance, terroir and tradition come together harmoniously. Discover these treasures on Vins & Millésimes and enrich your cellar with cuvées that transcend the ages. Discover other estates from the Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru appellations such as Agathe Bursin, Albert Boxler, Albert Mann, André Thomas, Bott Geyl, Ostertag, Schlumberger, Trapet, Deiss, Weinbach and Zind Humbrecht at Vins & Millésimes, where you can buy the finest wines and grand crus online. All our wines are in stock and available for fast delivery! Discover the bottles and Magnums from Domaine Trimbach available for purchase!