Munster Valley Tourist Office

Munster Valley Tourist Office

Wine tourism

In the heart of Alsace's rolling landscapes, the Munster Valley cultivates much more than its famous cheese. Here, vines grow on sunny slopes, cradled by the pure mountain air and the traditions of an authentic terroir. Meet passionate winemakers who work the land with respect and make wine with their hearts. Family estates nestled between two villages, secret cellars at the gateway to the mountains... Here, you can taste Alsatian wines of character, shaped by the altitude, the granite soil, and the stories of those who create them. Wine tourism takes on another dimension here : more intimate, more human, often accompanied by a breathtaking panorama. Whether you are an enlightened amateur, simply curious or a lover of beautiful encounters, the valley opens its doors and its bottles to you.
Schoenheitz estate vineyard

History of the vineyard by Gérard LESER

Gregory I, known as the Great, became the 64th pope of Christianity in 590. A Doctor of the Church, he was one of the four fathers of the Western Church, along with Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine and Saint Jerome. His influence during the Middle Ages was considerable.

According to legend, it was Irish monks, disciples of Saint Gregory the Great (+ 604), who founded the first monastic establishment around 634 at a place called Schweinsbach, near the current commune of Stosswihr. Around the year 660, the monks transferred this monastery to the confluence of the two branches of the Fecht, at the current location of the city of Munster. The monastery then bore the name of monasterium ad confluentes, the Germanized form of which gave the name of the city Münster/Mìnschter/Munster. The valley itself took the name of Val Saint-Grégoire or in German Gregoriental, in homage to the great pope, patron saint of the abbey.

The city of Munster obtained the status of imperial city in 1235. In 1287, it joined forces with nine other villages to form the community of inhabitants of Val Saint Grégoire, an original institution in Alsace, as it lasted until 1847. This community had its seal from 1287, which gave rise to the coat of arms of Munster after 1847. It is clearly visible above the entrance door of the town hall of Munster built in 1550.

Wine history

"Val Saint Grégoire" is the historical name of the Munster Valley, following the establishment of a Benedictine abbey in Munster, on the orders of Pope Gregory the Great, in 634.
The name “Munster Valley” only appeared after the Protestant Reformation, around 1540.

The wines of Val Saint Grégoire have been renowned for a very long time.
In Wihr-au-Val, the vines were planted by the monks of the Abbey of Munster and remained their property until around 1085 when the Lord of Ribeaupierre seized the town of Wihr-au-Val. In all the old writings on the vineyard of Wihr-au-Val, we quote: "Die Edlen Weine von Weier im Sankt Gregorien Tal".
Furthermore, the name "Val Saint Grégoire" for wine dates back to at least 1893, as evidenced by a bottle of the 1893 vintage in the possession of a restaurateur in the Valley.
In 1871, the Alsatian poet Jean Bresch wrote: "At the foot of the Sonnenberg, crowned by a small chapel, stands Wihr-au-Val, which is rightly proud of its red wine called "Prince Max"*, which according to gourmets is hardly inferior to the Brand of Turckheim, so much fire and bouquet does it have." (* this "Prince Max" vintage was dedicated to Prince Maximilian of Habsburg, owner of the castle of Wihr-au-Val and vineyards in the place called Linsenberg).

Terroir and communal AOC​

The municipal entity "Val Saint Grégoire", located in the municipalities of Turckheim, Zimmerbach, Walbach and Wihr-au-Val, was recognized, for its white wines made from the Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Pinot Gris grape varieties, as a complementary geographical designation of the AOC "Alsace" on October 25, 2011. These municipalities are located on the northern facade of the outlet of the Munster Valley, and their vineyards have a general southern orientation which results in earlier vegetative development than the environment of the entire valley and a great maturity of the harvest. Planted on granite soils, the main character traits of "Val Saint Grégoire" are freshness, finesse and elegance.

Vineyard tours

Difficulty : Easy

Herrenreben Circuit

Difficulty : Easy

Vineyard tour - Linsenberg

4 results

Schoenheitz Estate

Mon-Sat: from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
68230 Wihr in the Valley
This estate produces wines of character, structure and rare finesse on the granite slopes of the valley. Free tasting and sales. Many activities...

Discovery of Alsace wines

Mon-Sat: from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Domaine Schoenheitz Wihr-au-Val
68230 Wihr in the Valley
For this experience, you will discover the history of this valley and its vineyards, then you will visit the cellar and follow all the steps of the...

Winery: Cave de Turckheim

68230 turckheim
The Turckheim winery is located 400m outside the town of Turckheim. We invite you to discover our grape varieties through our specialties and Grands...

Wine and cheese aperitif at Domaine Schoenheitz

from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
68230 Wihr in the Valley
In a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, discover the great Alsace wine and cheese pairings. Reception and tasting in French and English.