Kaefferkopf, Grand Cru vineyard in Ammerschwihr, France
Kaefferkopf is a Grand Cru vineyard on the south and east-facing slopes above Ammerschwihr, in the Alsace wine region of France. The slopes vary in steepness and soil type from one section to another, with granite in some parts and limestone, marl, and clay in others.
The name Kaefferkopf appears in records from Pairis Abbey as far back as 1338, pointing to a long tradition of wine growing on these slopes. Grand Cru status was only granted in 2007, after years of debate about how to classify a site with such varied soils.
Kaefferkopf is one of the few Grand Cru sites in Alsace where four grape varieties can be grown together: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat. Winemakers here sometimes blend these varieties into a single wine, a practice that sets this site apart from most other Grand Cru appellations in the region.
The terrain is steep in places, so sturdy shoes are a good idea before heading out onto the slopes. A visit during the drier months, especially in late summer or early autumn, gives the best conditions for walking and lets you see the vines at their most active.
The Grand Cru classification of Kaefferkopf was held back for years partly because allowing blends of several varieties broke the rules applied to almost every other Grand Cru in Alsace. This exception had to be written into the regulations specifically for this site, making it a genuine legal oddity among French wine appellations.
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