The family history begins in 1860 when Jean-Baptiste, who owned vines, orchards and the surrounding forest, started to make and sell wine before passing the legacy on to his son. Over the years, the family have been pioneers in the region. At the turn of the 20^th century, they were one of the first to recognize the impact of tourism on the ‘wine route’. In the late 1940s, Jean Huttard created a brand and restructured the vineyards. In the late 1970s they were one of the first vignerons to sow grass in the vineyards, a precursor to organic viticulture. In 1974, they were one of five Alsatian producers to launch the Crémant d’Alsace appellation, and the first to plant Chardonnay exclusively for production of AOC Crémant.

In 2015 & 2016, the latest generation, Antoine and Hélène joined the family business. Antoine takes care of the viticulture and wine making while Hélène takes care of the sales and marketing. A natural progression from the innovation in the 1950s and 1980s, the estate was certified organic in 2018 with a deep commitment to a sustainable future.

The winery is located in the small village of Zellenberg. The estate, a total of 8 hectares of vines, is divided into a dizzying array of 45 separate plots spread over 6 different towns. The Huttard family sets themselves apart through low yields, organic farming practices, complete manual farming and harvesting. This deep understanding of the land and terroir is why they can produce a wide range, from the ‘Village’ level to the Grand Crus and Lieu Dit wines.

Wine production varies depending on the grape and style. White wines undergo a whole cluster gentle pressing. The must is gravity fed into the cellar where the alcoholic fermentation begins and the aging on fine lees until bottling and filtration. Red wines commence with destemming of the grapes before a maceration of the berries. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and barrels with aging lasting from 12 to 24 months. As a pioneer of the Crémant apellation, these wines rub shoulders with those of Champagne. Their patience is evident in these wines, allowing them the time to harmonise and age to become truly great Alsatian crémant. Their ‘orange’ wine making follows the ancestral technique that allows an extraction of tannin, colours and bitter elements for the natural preservation of the wine.

This is an exceptional family who makes wines that reflect the exceptional terroir of the region.

https://alsace-jean-huttard.fr