Over the past 60 years, the Alsace Wine Route has contributed to the success of Alsace wines. It has become famous the world over for its exceptional natural beauty, its simple course and for the instant connection its visitors feel with the region and its growers. The Alsace Wine Route winds its way from north to south, for more than 170 kilometres (106 miles) along the eastern foothills of the Vosges. This delightful itinerary leads visitors across rows of undulating, vine-covered hills, and through quaint villages with narrow streets and charming flower-decked houses clustered around the local church steeple.
Regions to discover
Alsace: A visit of the Alsace makes you immerge in the moving history of Europe’s past. Old churches, impressive fortresses, medieval castles, picturesque half-timbered villages, subterranean dwellings cut into sandstone rocks and many small museums give evidence of manifold cultural and historical treasures.
The softly rounded hilly landscape, lakes and ponds, as well as deep woods providing a home for a species-rich fauna invite the visitors to strolls and hikes at the heart of nature. The “Regional Natural Park Ballon des Vosges” is listed in the UNESCO Directory of the World Network of Biosphere Reserve. In the rural idyll of the Vosges you live in the rhythm of nature, away from everyday hustle and bustle.
The Alsace Wine Route, renowned for its white wine, is one of France’s most evocative drives. Protected from the mountain climate of the Vosges, some of the finest French grapes ripen on the golden sunny hills. Enjoy a glass, it’ll make an excellent accompaniment to the local delicacies!
Travel summary
Day 1 - Mulhouse – Rouffach
Day 2 - Zellenberg - Colmar – Rouffach
Day 3 - Gueberschwihr – Rouffach
Day 4 - Eguisheim – Rouffach
Day 5 - Eguisheim - Riquewihr – Rouffach
Day 6 - Rixheim - Mulhouse – Rouffach
Day 7 - Mulhouse
Day 1: Mulhouse – Rouffach: Rental car at your disposal from Mulhouse train station
Upon arrival in Mulhouse TGV train station, an automatic compact class rental car will be available for a period of 6 days. This will allow you to move freely.
Arrival in Rouffach
Halfway between Colmar and Mulhouse, Rouffach is situated on the famous Route des Vins d'Alsace and offers an ideal starting point to visit the territory combining plain Vosges mountains and vineyards.
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), and breakfast
Day 2: Zellenberg - Colmar – Rouffach: Introduction to wine tasting of Alsace wines
Fancy an oenological getaway? Helena the winemaker, welcomes you in Zellenberg on the family winery dating back to 1860, with all the Alsatian wines that are represented (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner) to Muscat d'Alsace and Crémant.
You will visit this vineyard operated ecological in a traditional way (harvesting by hand) and you will participate in an introduction to Alsace wines with tasting of 5 wines produced locally. You will also have explanations on winemaking and a visit of the cellar and the field. A bottle of wine is offered at the end of the tasting.
(Duration: approximately 1h30 - commentaries in French, English, German - in groups up to 20 people.)
Free afternoon. Suggestion: visit of the city of Colmar.
"City of Art and History" located near Germany and Switzerland, Colmar is the capital of Alsace wines, it has kept a remarkable architectural heritage: picturesque neighborhoods, timbered houses, narrow streets of the center-town, charming canals of Little Venice, monuments, religious buildings, museums and unavoidable Unterlinden and Bartholdi museums.
It serves fine wines accompanied by sauerkraut in a Winstub (originally a wine room; nowadays restaurants serving local food).
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), breakfast, local guide, visit, and drinks
Day 3: Gueberschwihr – Rouffach: Discover the Alsace plain at sunset
Patrice, a mountain guide, offers you a walk-discovery with comments between forests, vineyards and mountains at dusk.
The appointment is located in the village square of Gueberschwihr, 15 minutes away of your castle, it is a charming village of the Wine Road, renowned for its vineyards, with beautiful half-timbered houses, a beautiful Romanesque bell tower and wine cellars open to all for tastings of wines.
You will then leave by car to the start of the hike on the heights, for an accessible route to all types of walkers that will take you to the lookout Kuckuustein, from where you will admire the Alsace Plaine sunset. A unique view over the cliffs above the village!
(Duration: 2h30 - commentaries in English, French and German - in groups up to 15 people.)
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), breakfast, local guide, and visit
Day 4: Eguisheim – Rouffach
Suggestion : Discover the foothills of Eguisheim in the train "gourmand du vignoble".
Enjoy your stay at the castle to explore the heritage of Alsatian vineyards, villages, aboard the Train "Gourmand du vignoble". 5h30 of strolling and discovering on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer.
Your day: departure at 9:30 am from Eguisheim (15 minutes from the castle), ranked as one of the most beautiful villages of France and the birthplace of the Alsatian vineyards ; at 11.15 am, aperitif tasting on the heights of Pfaffenheim ; at 12:15, arrival in Colmar, presentation of the place de l'Église, walk and lunch ; at 2 pm, return to Eguisheim through the vineyards ; at 3 pm : end of the journey.
The gourmet Train is a tour through all your senses : contemplation of the landscape, leaves rustling, the wind, the scents of meadows, woods, aromas, flavors and appreciation of the fine products terroir.
The price of the activity is not included in the travel package and must be booked and paid directly to the tourist office of Eguisheim - Commentaries in English, French, German -price: 16€
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), and breakfast
Day 5: Eguisheim - Riquewihr – Rouffach
Suggestion: The Wine road and its classics
For your last day, you can, go out and continue your discovery of the famous road of Alsace wines with its rolling vineyards and typical and emblematic villages : Eguisheim, Turckheim, Riquewihr, one of the most beautiful villages in France, the medieval village and grand cru Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé ...
Enjoy panoramic views over the plain of Alsace and the forêt-Noire in the distance, stop at a winery for a tour and tasting of the famous grapes of the region : Gewurztraminer, Riesling.
Or, visit a few essentials : at 1h/1h15 trip : Strasbourg, the regional capital, Sewen the regional metropolis at the foot of the Ballon d'Alsace, Mont Saint Odile, and Obernai surrounded by ramparts with its Alsatian houses.
At 30/40 minute trip : The medieval Haut Koenigsbourg castle and its exceptional panorama, the ruins of the abbey of Munster, home of the famous cheese, Turckheim and beautiful houses, Sélestat, the city of art and history and its exceptional library.
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), and breakfast
Day 6: Rixheim - Mulhouse – Rouffach
Regional Gastronomy: culinary workshop
Nicolas, a culinary chef invites you to Rixheim near Mulhouse, in a friendly atmosphere for a cooking course with tips and tricks, followed by a tasting at a table of your preparations.
You will realize effective regional menus with simple but sophisticated recipes, according to the seasonal products: starter, main course and dessert, while working on fish, meat, vegetables, and candies.
(Duration: approximately 4h - commentaries in French - in groups up to 15 people.)
Free afternoon. Suggestion: visit of the city of Mulhouse
A Mecca of textile industry during the 19th century, the city labeled "City of Art and History" displays the names of the streets in French and Alsatian languages and offers a very diverse heritage: remains of the medieval ramparts, city hall of the 16th century, manufacturers ensembles, mansions but also many museums and parks and gardens, mostly created in the 19th century.
In Mulhouse, the story can also be read on the walls! Embark on an original trip along painted walls, which are part of a long tradition and that will reveal the pages of the history of the city and its famous characters. You will also discover new forms of urban expression.
Dinner at the Isenbourg castle restaurant.
For your last evening you will have a dinner at the castle restaurant "The Tommeries" that features a panoramic room opening onto the terrace of the vineyard or the Dagobert room, high vaulted room dating from the 16th century. The Chef, Matthias Lingelser will offer you some fine cuisine from Alsace that showcases seasonal ingredients.
This service includes a three-course menu (starter, main course, dessert) excluding drinks.
Included: Accommodation (Night in a Tradition-Room in the Isenbourg Castle), breakfast, local guide, visit, lunch (no drinks), and dinner (no drinks)
Day 7: Mulhouse: End of the trip
Unfortunately, this is already time to leave! You must return your rental car in Mulhouse.
Accommodation: Château d'Isenbourg
Category: 5* Hotel
Built on foundations dating back to the XII and XIV century, the Château d'Isenbourg, on the wine road of Alsace, in the heart of the vineyard, overlooks the old town of Rouffach, offering a magnificent view on the Vosges foothills, the plain Rhine and the Forêt Noire.
Boasting modern comforts, it offers elegant and authentic rooms with views on the park, the vineyards or the countryside, all with TV and international channels, minibar, room service, safe.
The castle has an upscale restaurant "the Tommeries", a lounge bar, a heated outdoor pool overlooking the vineyards and the village, a relaxation area with indoor pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, a spa, a shaded park with tennis court and table tennis, a laundry service.
At your disposal and included in the price: parking, terrace and garden, Wifi, Bikes.
The city tax is to be paid directly at the hotel (1.50 € per pax and per night).
The price includes:
- All services set out under “included in the program”.
- Standard room unless set out otherwise
- A travel folder with the reservation vouchers.
- A phone contact in case of an emergency during your trip
Not-included in the price:
- Transport (unless indicated otherwise).
- Cancellation and repatriation insurances, all-risks coverage.
- Meals (unless indicated otherwise).
- Personal expenses (drinks, tips etc.)