TRIMBACH

The Trimbach family has a long and storied history in Alsace. Growers since the 17th century the estate is now in the hands of its 12th generation, where brothers Pierre and Jean Trimbach run the day to day operations. Pierre has been responsible for the vineyards and winemaking since 1985 and Jean has served as Trimbach’s global Ambassador responsible for sales from that same year; tirelessly travelling the globe to promote both Trimbach and Alsatian wine as a whole. There is a plurality of styles in Alsace which is sometimes simplified to a dichotomy of “Dry” versus “Opulent” or some might say sweet. Trimbach falls firmly in, and may very well be the benchmark producer of the “Dry” camp. That said the Trimbach style is about much more than being dry. Pierre finds the notion that one could use “dryness” or an absence of sugar as a sign of quality to be reductive and simplistic. The key is balance. The Trimbach style is to make elegant, structured, beautifully balanced wines that just happen to be both dry and full of fruit. These wines are capable of long aging due to the combination of great sites, exceptional farming and judicious, thoughtful winemaking. The quality of the wines has garnered the estate almost universal acclaim. The lengthy list of achievements include claiming a spot on the wine lists of every single Michelin 3-star restaurant in France. Pierre Trimbach was named one of the Top 10 White Wine Producers in the world by Decanter Magazine in 2006, and in 2016, was elected as one of the 10 Masters of Riesling in the world by Michel Bettane, a top French wine journalist (Bettane & Desseauve Guide). Anne Trimbach, who bears the title La Madone du Riesling, was also elected as one of the 200 most influential wine personalities in December 2015 by La Revue du Vin de France.

Reviews for this winery

During my visit, the usual Trimbach stars (Clos and the Fréderic Emile) shone brightly, but I found the entry-level wines (Muscat, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc) to be also especially noteworthy.

March 2017

Trimbach’s commitment to dry wines with racy acidity means that its bottlings age exceptionally well and can sometimes present as austere in their youth—hence the winery’s practice of long aging in bottle before release.

Kristen Bieler, September 2023

With roots in Switzerland and a presence in Alsace since the 16th century, the Trimbach family has shaped Alsace viticulture from the early 19th century onwards with the relentless pursuit of quality and bone-dry wines. They own 60 hectares/148 acres of vineyards and buy grapes from a further 20 hectares/49.5 acres, which includes vineyards they farm themselves and hope to be able to purchase in the future. They are known for two abiding classics of the region: Rieslings Clos Ste Hune and Frédéric Emile. The former is notably from Rosacker Grand Cru, the latter from the Geisberg and Osterberg Grand Crus. The house refused to label their wines as grand crus in a defiant stance against the often too generous delineations of some of these top vineyards. As of 2015, with the release of the 2009 vintage, however, the term grand cru also appeared on Trimbach labels. The tide has finally tipped over, and Trimbach now also has holdings in sites like Schlossberg, bought in 2012 and first made in 2014, after extending the domaine. The house is run by brothers Pierre and Jean Trimbach, the 12th generation of the family. By now, they are joined by the 13th: Anne Trimbach looks after export sales, Frédérique Trimbach is responsible for communications and design, and Pauline Trimbach looks after domestic sales. At the same time, Julien Trimbach works alongside Pierre as winemaker. “We put the same intensity in our work, whether it is Pinot Blanc or Geiseberg grand cru,” Pierre Trimbach says. “Three things matter: balance, balance, balance.” Trimbach is one of the steadfast stars in the Alsace firmament. The consistency of their dry style across grape varieties, the concentration and linearity of their wines and their Rieslings’ longevity, even at the entry level, renews their reputation with each new vintage.

Anne Krebiehl MW, April 2023

A 30-minute drive from Andlau, Maison Trimbach in Ribeauvillé – also established in the 17th century – has long been recognised as a top producer. Its wines are better than ever, from entry-level offerings to the only Alsace wine that’s appreciated just as much for investment on international markets as for drinking – the Clos Ste Hune Riesling […] Try the Cuvée Frédéric Emile Riesling, crafted from two grand cru vineyards – an excellent-value dry wine. Although it initially established its fame through strong brands, Trimbach also boasts four single-vineyard grand cru wines.

Panos Kakaviatos, January 2025