Heisse Wanne Sylvaner
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 2–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
tarte flambee, grilled freshwater fish, roasted pork loin
✨ Technical Specifications
Nestled in the warm, sheltered microclimate of the 'Heisse Wanne' (literally 'hot tub') lieu-dit, this Sylvaner showcases the remarkable potential of a grape variety historically sidelined in Alsace. Domaine Dirler-Cadé, a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture, treats this parcel with the utmost reverence. The vineyard's south-facing, amphitheater-like slope traps heat, while its clay-limestone soils impart a profound mineral structure and vibrant acidity to the wine. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in traditional large oak foudres, this Sylvaner breaks the mold of simple, everyday whites, offering a textured, complex, and terroir-driven expression that honors the ancient winemaking heritage of the region.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1871 by Jean Dirler in the southern Alsatian village of Bergholtz, Domaine Dirler-Cadé took its modern form in 2000 following the marriage of fifth-generation vigneron Jean Dirler to Ludivine Cadé. Pioneers of ecological viticulture in the region, the family began converting to biodynamics in 1998 under the guidance of François Bouchet, attaining full Biodyvin and Demeter certification across their 18 hectares of vines. The estate's holdings are distinguished by prime parcels in four Grand Crus—Kessler, Kitterlé, Saering, and Spiegel—alongside celebrated lieux-dits such as Belzbrunnen, Bux, and Bollenberg. Here, steep slopes composed of Buntsandstein pink sandstone, volcanic conglomerates, and marl-limestone are worked by hand and horse-plowed. In the cellar, low-intervention vinification emphasizes gentle pressing, native yeast fermentations, and unhurried aging on fine lees in traditional neutral foudres and stainless steel. The resulting dry Rieslings, aromatic Pinot Gris, structured Gewurztraminers, and precision Crémants deliver intense mineral clarity, textural poise, and profound ageability.
🍇 Grapes
Sylvaner