Region: Alsace (Bas-Rhin / Heiligenstein), France
Grapes: 100% Savagnin Rose (Klevener d'Heiligenstein)
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Ripe quince, yellow pear, candied ginger, lychee, white pepper, dried honey, and crushed chalk, with balanced natural acidity, a luxurious oily texture, and a bone-dry, spicy, mineral-laden finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, Münster cheese, roasted pork loin with apples, Alsace choucroute garnie, smoked trout, or mild aromatic curries
The Producer
Domaine Jean-Pierre Herr is an artisanal, family-run estate located in the historic village of Heiligenstein in the Bas-Rhin region of Alsace. Dedicated to organic viticulture and traditional Alsatian craftsmanship, the Herr family farms small, steeply sloped parcels planted on unique pink sandstone and clay-limestone soils. In the cellar, winemaking follows low-intervention principles: native-yeast fermentations, extended lees aging in neutral foudres and tanks, minimal cellar additions, and soft filtration to preserve the raw texture, spice, and aromatic richness of their historic terroir.
The Wine
Klevener d'Heiligenstein is one of the rarest controlled appellations in France, restricted exclusively to the village of Heiligenstein and four surrounding communes. Made from Savagnin Rose (an ancient, pink-skinned mutation of the Jura's Savagnin, distinct from Gewürztraminer), this wine showcases the variety's singular identity. The 2020 vintage from Jean-Pierre Herr undergoes a slow, wild-yeast fermentation followed by fine-lees maturation. It reveals a striking golden hue, exotic orchard fruit, and ginger spice with a rich, textured palate that remains bone-dry and framed by cool sandstone salinity.
Region: Alsace (Bas-Rhin / Heiligenstein), France
Grapes: 100% Savagnin Rose (Klevener d'Heiligenstein)
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Ripe quince, yellow pear, candied ginger, lychee, white pepper, dried honey, and crushed chalk, with balanced natural acidity, a luxurious oily texture, and a bone-dry, spicy, mineral-laden finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, Münster cheese, roasted pork loin with apples, Alsace choucroute garnie, smoked trout, or mild aromatic curries
The Producer
Domaine Jean-Pierre Herr is an artisanal, family-run estate located in the historic village of Heiligenstein in the Bas-Rhin region of Alsace. Dedicated to organic viticulture and traditional Alsatian craftsmanship, the Herr family farms small, steeply sloped parcels planted on unique pink sandstone and clay-limestone soils. In the cellar, winemaking follows low-intervention principles: native-yeast fermentations, extended lees aging in neutral foudres and tanks, minimal cellar additions, and soft filtration to preserve the raw texture, spice, and aromatic richness of their historic terroir.
The Wine
Klevener d'Heiligenstein is one of the rarest controlled appellations in France, restricted exclusively to the village of Heiligenstein and four surrounding communes. Made from Savagnin Rose (an ancient, pink-skinned mutation of the Jura's Savagnin, distinct from Gewürztraminer), this wine showcases the variety's singular identity. The 2020 vintage from Jean-Pierre Herr undergoes a slow, wild-yeast fermentation followed by fine-lees maturation. It reveals a striking golden hue, exotic orchard fruit, and ginger spice with a rich, textured palate that remains bone-dry and framed by cool sandstone salinity.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.