The Alsace Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) runs for more than 170 km along the foothills of the Vosges mountains, from Marlenheim near Strasbourg in the north to Thann near Mulhouse in the south. Created in 1953, it links dozens of wine villages with half-timbered houses, fortified walls, castle ruins and family wineries, and it is one of the most rewarding road trips in France.

Quick answer: drive the route north to south over 2–5 days, using Colmar or a village such as Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé or Eguisheim as a base. Don’t miss the central section between Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg, detour to the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle, and taste the region’s white wines, especially Riesling and Gewurztraminer, at small family estates. The best seasons are September–October for the grape harvest and late November–December for the Christmas markets.

What Is the Alsace Wine Route?

The route is a signposted tourist road (look for the brown “Route des Vins” signs) that winds through vineyards on the sunny eastern slopes of the Vosges. Alsace is one of France’s driest wine regions because the mountains block rain coming from the west, which helps the grapes ripen slowly. The vineyards include 51 Grand Cru sites, and you’ll pass through villages where many families have made wine for generations.

It is less about one road than a string of villages roughly 3–10 km apart. You can drive the whole route in a long day, but that leaves no time for tastings, lunch or wandering. For a wider look at the region’s culture and food, see what Alsace is known for.

Northern Section: Marlenheim to Obernai and Andlau

The northern section, in the Bas-Rhin department, is the closest to Strasbourg and the least crowded.

• Marlenheim: the official starting point, known for its Pinot Noir.
• Molsheim and Rosheim: Molsheim has a Renaissance guild hall (the Metzig), and Rosheim one of Alsace’s finest Romanesque churches.
• Obernai: a lively, walled market town with a pretty square, plenty of restaurants and a train station. Nearby Mont Sainte-Odile, a hilltop convent, offers wide views over the plain.
• Barr, Mittelbergheim and Andlau: Mittelbergheim is listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, with Renaissance houses and vineyards right behind the village; Andlau has a Romanesque abbey church.
• Dambach-la-Ville: a fortified village with three gates and one of the largest wine-producing communes in Alsace.

Middle Section: Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg

The central section, north of Colmar in the Haut-Rhin, is the heart of the route and the place to spend most of your time. The villages are close together and very picturesque, so start early to beat tour groups in summer.

• Bergheim: a fortified town with walls and towers, quieter than its neighbors.
• Ribeauvillé: a long main street lined with painted houses, the Butchers’ Tower, and the ruins of three castles on the hillside above, reachable on foot. Its Pfifferdaj (Pipers’ Day) festival takes place in early September.
• Hunawihr: a small village with a fortified church surrounded by vines and a nearby stork and otter park.
• Riquewihr: the most famous village on the route, almost unchanged since the 16th century, with the Dolder gate tower and countless wine shops. See is Riquewihr worth visiting.
• Zellenberg and Beblenheim: small wine villages with excellent views and less traffic.
• Kaysersberg: a riverside town with a fortified bridge, a ruined castle above the vines and a very popular Christmas market; it is the birthplace of Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer.
• Kientzheim, Ammerschwihr and Turckheim: Turckheim keeps three gates and, in season, a night watchman makes evening rounds through the old streets.

Detour: Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle

Standing high above Orschwiller and Kintzheim, the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is a medieval castle rebuilt in the early 20th century under German Emperor Wilhelm II. The views over the Alsace plain to the Black Forest are superb, and the interiors are fun to explore. Allow about 2 hours, check opening hours, and consider booking a time slot in summer. Families can combine it with the nearby eagle park and monkey park at Kintzheim.

Southern Section: Colmar, Eguisheim and Thann

• Colmar: the region’s wine capital and the best base for the route, with canals, half-timbered houses and the Unterlinden Museum. See our guide to things to do in Colmar.
• Eguisheim: a circular village built in concentric rings around a castle and chapel, ideal for a stroll and tastings. Like Riquewihr and Hunawihr, it is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
• Husseren-les-Châteaux: the highest village on the route, below the three ruined towers of the Château du Haut-Eguisheim.
• Gueberschwihr, Pfaffenheim and Rouffach: quieter villages with fine churches and small producers.
• Guebwiller and Soultzmatt: steep Grand Cru slopes and a Gothic church in Guebwiller.
• Thann: the end of the route, with the soaring Gothic Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut and the Rangen, one of Alsace’s steepest Grand Cru vineyards.

Itinerary Options: 2 to 5 Days

Trip length	Suggested route	Base
2 days	Day 1: Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg. Day 2: Colmar and Eguisheim	Colmar
3 days	Add Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Bergheim and Turckheim; spend an evening in Colmar’s Petite Venise	Colmar or Riquewihr
4 days	Day 1: Marlenheim, Molsheim, Obernai, Mont Sainte-Odile. Day 2: Mittelbergheim, Andlau, Dambach-la-Ville, Haut-Kœnigsbourg. Day 3: Ribeauvillé to Kaysersberg. Day 4: Colmar and Eguisheim	Obernai, then Colmar
5 days	As 4 days, plus Husseren-les-Châteaux, Rouffach, Guebwiller and Thann on the last day	Obernai, then Colmar

If you’re also visiting Strasbourg, the northern section makes an easy first day out of the city; see our Strasbourg travel guide.

Alsace Grape Varieties

Alsace wines are labeled by grape variety, which makes them easy to understand, and are sold in the tall, slim bottle called the flûte. Most are white.

Grape	Style
Riesling	Dry, crisp and mineral; the region’s flagship and the best match for local dishes
Gewurztraminer	Highly aromatic (rose, lychee, spice), sometimes off-dry; good with Munster cheese and spicy food
Pinot Gris	Rich and round, often with a touch of sweetness
Muscat	Usually dry and grapey; a classic aperitif
Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc	Light, fresh everyday whites
Pinot Noir	The only red grape, making light to medium-bodied reds and rosés
Crémant d’Alsace	Traditional-method sparkling wine, very popular and good value

Look out for Vendanges Tardives (late harvest) and Sélection de Grains Nobles, rich dessert-style wines made in good years. Grand Cru wines come from 51 delimited vineyards and are mostly Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris or Muscat. For how Alsace compares with Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne (see also visiting the Champagne houses), read our guide to the best wine regions to visit in France.

How to Visit Wineries and Tasting Etiquette

Visiting wineries in Alsace is relaxed. Many family estates have a caveau (tasting room) on the main street that you can simply walk into during opening hours, and larger cooperatives also welcome visitors. Tastings are often free or inexpensive at small estates, on the understanding that you may buy a bottle or two.

• Smaller producers may close at lunchtime (roughly 12 pm to 2 pm), on Sunday afternoons and in winter; call or email ahead if you want to visit a specific estate or need a cellar tour in English.
• Taste from dry to sweet and from light to rich; it’s normal to use the spittoon, especially if you’re driving.
• Ask questions about the vineyard and vintage: winemakers usually enjoy explaining their wines.
• If you plan several tastings, choose a designated driver or join a guided tour. France’s legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, lower for new drivers.
• Shipping wine abroad can be expensive; check your home country’s customs allowances before buying a case.

Prefer an organized visit? Our list of the best wine tours in France includes options for Alsace.

Getting Around: Car, Bike or Bus

• Car: the easiest way to follow the route and reach the smaller villages. Parking is usually paid and fills up in peak season, so arrive early in Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim.
• Bike: the signposted Véloroute du Vignoble runs about 131 km through the vineyards, with some steep sections. E-bikes can be rented in Colmar and other towns, and riding between neighboring villages is very pleasant.
• Train and bus: regional trains serve Obernai, Barr, Sélestat, Colmar, Turckheim and Rouffach, and buses link Colmar with villages such as Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim. Services are limited, especially on Sundays, so check timetables before relying on them.
• Guided tours: half-day and full-day minibus tours from Colmar and Strasbourg combine a few villages with winery visits.

Best Time to Go

• May–June: green vineyards, long days and fewer visitors.
• July–August: warm weather and many village wine festivals, including Colmar’s large wine fair, but also the biggest crowds.
• September–October: the grape harvest (vendanges), golden vineyards and new-wine season, with vin nouveau and onion tart (zewelewaï). For many visitors, the best time of all.
• Late November–December: Christmas markets in Colmar, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Ribeauvillé make the villages magical but very busy on weekends. See the best Christmas markets in France.
• January–March: quiet and cold; some wineries, restaurants and hotels close for a few weeks.

Summary

The Alsace Wine Route is best enjoyed slowly: give it 2–5 days, base yourself in Colmar or one central village, and focus on the stretch between Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim, adding the quieter northern villages and Haut-Kœnigsbourg if you have time. Taste Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Crémant at family wineries, plan around lunchtime closures, and go in autumn for the harvest or in December for the Christmas markets.