i 🍷 Vineyards & tastings
Alsace Wine Route: wine villages and tastings
Opened in 1953, the Alsace Wine Route winds for around 170 kilometres along the foot of the Vosges, from Marlenheim in the north to Thann in the south, not forgetting the Cleebourg vineyards near Wissembourg. It links fortified villages, half-timbered houses and cellars where winegrowers offer tastings of the seven Alsace grape varieties, from Riesling to Gewurztraminer by way of Pinot Noir, the region’s only red grape. The vineyard has three appellations, Alsace, Crémant d’Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru, the last divided into 51 grands crus, most of which lie along the route.
To choose, think in sections rather than the whole route: one day is enough for two or three villages and a cellar, whereas the full route takes three to five days. Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, all close to Colmar, draw large numbers of visitors; Mittelbergheim, Bergheim, Hunawihr and Turckheim lend themselves to a quieter discovery. The Véloroute du Vignoble (vineyard cycle route), running parallel to the road, lets you link the stops by bike, and several villages can be reached by train or coach from Colmar. Finally, time your stay around the wine calendar: wine festivals from April to October, the grape harvest in autumn and Christmas markets in December.
How to choose?
If you are discovering Alsace for the first time
These three wine towns, very close to Colmar, combine well-preserved old towns, cellars and vineyards in a single day.
If you are coming mainly for the wine
Tastings with the winegrowers, a vineyard trail at the foot of the Zotzenberg grand cru and, in summer, a ten-day fair devoted to Alsace wines in Colmar.
🍷 Wine Tasting on the Alsace Wine Route🏘️ Mittelbergheim🎄 Colmar Wine Fair
If you are travelling without a car
The cycle route can be reached by train, Turckheim has a station on the Colmar – Munster line and Riquewihr is served by the Fluo coach from Colmar.
If you are with the family
A fun children’s trail at Hunawihr, a flat walk round the ramparts at Bergheim and the night watchman’s round at Turckheim, suitable for families.
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alsace Wine Route📍 Alsace | All year; wine festivals in summer, grape harvest in autumn, Christmas markets in December | One day per section; 3 to 5 days for the whole route | All ages; tastings for adults only | By car from Marlenheim to Thann; TER trains to Obernai, Sélestat or Colmar; Strasbourg-Entzheim airport |
| Wine Tasting on the Alsace Wine Route📍 Riquewihr · Haut-Rhin (68) | All year round depending on the estate; liveliest from summer to the grape harvest | From 45 minutes for one cellar to a full day for three or four estates | Adults; the sale of alcohol to minors is prohibited | Riquewihr is 13 km from Colmar (TGV/TER station); by car, by bike on the Véloroute du Vignoble or on a guided excursion |
| Riquewihr📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year round; museums from April to early November; Christmas Market from 27 November to 20 December 2026 | Half a day for the old town and a museum; a full day with the Grands Crus trail | All ages; cobbled, sloping lanes | A35 then the Alsace Wine Route; Fluo coach line 16 Colmar–Riquewihr–Ribeauvillé, stop opposite the post office |
| Eguisheim📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year; spring to autumn for the flowers and the vineyards | 1 hour 30 minutes to walk round the village, half a day with a wine cellar and the surroundings | All ages; Randoland fun trail for 4–12-year-olds | A35 exit 28 from Strasbourg; bus line 830 Colmar–Eguisheim–Rouffach; nearest TER station in Rouffach |
| Kaysersberg📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year round; Christmas Market on the four weekends of Advent, from 27 November 2026 | Half a day for the old town; a full day with the climb to the castle and the vineyards | All ages | About 10 min from Colmar by car; without a car, Colmar station then bus line 813 (Monday–Saturday) |
| Ribeauvillé📍 Ribeauvillé · Haut-Rhin (68) | All year round; Pfifferdaj in early September, medieval Christmas market over two weekends in December | Half a day for the town, a full day with the climb to the castles | All ages; the climb to the castles is for well-shod walkers | By car: A35 exit 20 (Bergheim). The so-called Ribeauvillé station, in Guémar, is closed to passengers |
| Mittelbergheim📍 Mittelbergheim · Bas-Rhin (67) | All year round; Bredelmarik in December | Half a day for the village and the vineyard trail | All ages, families, wine lovers and EuroVelo 5 cyclists | By car: on the Alsace Wine Route, 1.2 km from Barr; Zotzenberg car park at the start of the vineyard trail |
| Turckheim📍 Turckheim · Haut-Rhin (68) | All year; night watchman’s round every evening from 1 May to 1 November 2026, at 22:00 | Half a day for the old town, the watchman’s round and the museum | All ages, families included for the evening round | Train: Turckheim station on the Colmar–Munster line; car: from Colmar towards the Munster valley |
| Bergheim📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year; Maison des Sorcières (Witches’ House) open mid-June to late October | Half a day (rampart circuit: about 1 hr) | All ages; history buffs and Alsace wine lovers | Car: close to the A35, between Sélestat and Colmar; car parks at the foot of the ramparts. Coach/bus: Fluo network |
| Hunawihr📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year; free guided tours on Wednesdays from July to mid-September | 1 to 2 hr for the village and church; half a day with an animal park | All ages; a 2.4 km fun trail for children | Alsace Wine Route between Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr; Fluo 68 R016 bus from Colmar (Place de la Fontaine stop) |
| Cycling the Alsace Wine Route📍 Colmar · Haut-Rhin (68) | Rideable all year round; most pleasant from spring to autumn | 5 stages according to the official website; one stage makes a day trip | Cyclists of all levels if you choose your stage; full route for experienced cyclists (a few climbs) | Train to Molsheim or Obernai (from Strasbourg), Turckheim (from Colmar), tram-train to Thann (from Mulhouse) |
| Colmar Wine Fair📍 Colmar · Haut-Rhin (68) | Ten days in late July – early August (2026: 31 July to 9 August) | Half a day to an evening; fair open 11:00–01:00 | All ages; under-12s child rate €2 | Parc des Expositions, Colmar: A35 exit 23 or 24; Trace bus line D during the day and free shuttles in the evening |
Map: Alsace Wine Route: wine villages and tastings
When to go?
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayPeak season
- JunPeak season
- JulPeak season
- AugPeak season
- SeptPeak season
- OctPeak season
- NovPossible
- DecPeak season
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 The vineyards come alive from April to October with wine festivals held by the villages in turn, followed by the grape harvest in autumn. Most cellars stay open all year, and December adds the Christmas markets.
Tips & insider advice
- Choose a designated driver
Driving between several cellars is not advisable: have a driver who does not drink, or opt for the train, coach or bike.
- Follow the vineyard cycle route
Running parallel to the Wine Route, it links Marlenheim to Thann; the official website splits it into five stages, each manageable in a day.
- Walk a vineyard trail
Around fifty waymarked trails, lined with information panels, explain grape varieties, terroirs and work in the vineyard, such as the one at Mittelbergheim.
- Call ahead before visiting
Opening times and tasting conditions vary from one estate to another: check with each cellar, especially for a group.
- Look for welcome labels
The “Accueil en Caves d’Alsace” and “Bienvenue chez le Vigneron Indépendant” charters and the “Vignobles & Découvertes” label commit estates to a high-quality welcome.
- Be a harvester for a day
In autumn, harvest experiences let you cut grapes, secateurs in hand, before a tasting and a meal: registration and prices on the Vins d’Alsace website.
Frequently asked questions
Which villages should I see on the Alsace Wine Route?
Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, all close to Colmar, are the star stops. Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Hunawihr, Turckheim and Mittelbergheim round off a stay nicely. Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Hunawihr and Mittelbergheim are listed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France).
How long does it take to do the Alsace Wine Route?
The route stretches for around 170 kilometres between Marlenheim and Thann. Allow one day per section for two or three villages and a cellar, and three to five days to cover the whole route at a leisurely pace.
Can you do the Alsace Wine Route without a car?
Yes, in part. TER regional trains serve Obernai, Sélestat, Colmar and Turckheim; from Colmar, coaches run to Riquewihr (Fluo line 16) and Eguisheim (line 830). The Véloroute du Vignoble links Marlenheim to Thann. However, the so-called Ribeauvillé station, located in Guémar, is closed to passengers.
When are the wine festivals in Alsace?
From April to October, the wine villages take turns to hold their wine and harvest festivals. The big summer event is the Colmar Wine Fair (Foire aux Vins), from 31 July to 9 August 2026. In autumn, the grape harvest livens up the vineyards; check the dates of each festival with the tourist offices.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.