**Alsace Wine Route – Visit the historic Couronne d'Or winery and tour Obernai**
Just outside Strasbourg begins one of the most authentic wine routes in Alsace: the Couronne d'Or vineyard. Less well known than the major tourist areas in the center of the Wine Route, this historic terroir is nevertheless the birthplace of Strasbourg wine. Between hills bathed in light, traditional wine-growing villages, and family estates, this day trip offers a complete immersion in Alsatian history, culture, and art de vivre.
This day combines heritage, landscapes, and gastronomic pleasures through visits to two wineries, two guided tastings of Alsace wines, a panoramic stop in the vineyards at the Marlenberg Chapel, and a final exploration of the medieval city of Obernai.
Protected by the Vosges mountains, this area enjoys a climate that is particularly favorable to vines: low rainfall, generous sunshine, and ideal temperature ranges for the slow ripening of the grapes. The varied soils—limestone, marl-limestone, and sandstone—allow Alsatian grape varieties to express their full personality.
From the very first moment, visitors discover a harmonious landscape where the rows of vines delicately follow the contours of the terrain. Each season transforms the scenery: bright green in spring, summer maturity, and then golden hues as the harvest approaches.
Unlike the very busy areas further south, the Couronne d'Or retains a peaceful and authentic atmosphere
The first stop leads to the very heart of the vineyard, to the Marlenberg Chapel. Nestled in the midst of the vines, this small religious building symbolizes the ancestral link between spirituality and working the land.
For centuries, winemakers gathered there to bless the harvests and protect the vines from the vagaries of the weather. Even today, it remains an iconic landmark of the local wine-growing landscape.
From this natural promontory, the view opens wide over the Alsace plain. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the German Black Forest, while the Vosges close the western horizon.
The explanations focus on the notion of terroir: sun exposure, air circulation, soil type, and choice of grape varieties. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, and Muscat find an elegant expression in this area, marked by freshness and finesse.
First Cellar Visit: Alsatian Family Tradition
The descent leads to the first family winery, located in the heart of a village in the Couronne d'Or.
The tour begins in the wine-making cellar. Modern facilities stand alongside large traditional wooden barrels, emblematic of Alsace. The winemaker explains the different stages of wine production
A second cellar visit to finish in Obernai.
