The Alsace Wine Route is 170 kilometres of improbable beauty: medieval villages in amber and rose stone, steep vineyards in Grand Cru classification, and a cuisine that sits between Burgundian richness and Germanic precision. It has been one of the most travelled wine roads in the world for five centuries. The only mistake modern visitors make is trying to drive it themselves.
Why a Private Chauffeur Changes Everything on the Wine Route
The Route des Vins d'Alsace passes through over 70 villages and dozens of appellations. No group tour reaches Hunawihr on a Tuesday afternoon; no rental car allows the passenger to finish a third glass of Gewurztraminer at a domaine before moving to the next. A private chauffeur resets these constraints entirely: you taste as many wines as you wish, you stop where you choose, and the return to Strasbourg is managed without a designated driver.
FFGR Strasbourg has cultivated relationships with a curated selection of Alsace winemakers — both the internationally recognized Grand Cru estates and the smaller family vignerons who do not open to uninvited visitors. A booking through FFGR unlocks private cellar sessions, barrel tastings, and in some cases private lunches hosted by the winemaker.
The Signature Route: Obernai to Colmar
Our most-requested wine route itinerary departs Strasbourg mid-morning and descends south through Obernai — one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Alsace — before climbing into the vineyards above Barr for a Grand Cru Kirchberg tasting. The route continues through Dambach-la-Ville (the largest wine-producing commune in Alsace), Sélestat, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr before arriving in Colmar in time for a late lunch at a Michelin-recommended table.
The afternoon extends at the client's pace: Colmar's Unterlinden Museum, a second estate visit in Eguisheim, or a silent drive through the villages of Ammerschwihr and Ingersheim as the light falls across the Vosges. The return to Strasbourg takes roughly one hour by the A35.
Grand Cru Estates & Private Cellar Access
Alsace has 51 classified Grand Cru vineyard sites — the only AOC in France where the grand cru classification applies at the vineyard level rather than the estate. The wines produced are predominantly Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat. FFGR Strasbourg has standing access arrangements with estates in Schlossberg (Kaysersberg), Rosacker (Hunawihr), Rangen (Thann) and Furstentum (Kientzheim).
Beyond the Grand Crus, we work with a handful of biodynamic and natural-wine producers whose work is attracting global sommeliers. These are not the estates visible from the main road; they require an introduction. Our concierge team provides it.
Gastronomy Along the Route
The Route des Vins passes within minutes of several Michelin-starred restaurants. L'Auberge de l'Ill in Illhaeusern has held three stars continuously since 1967. Gaertner's in Marlenheim, the Château de l'Île near Strasbourg, and a rotating list of one-star tables in Colmar and Ribeauvillé represent the broader constellation. FFGR Strasbourg secures advance reservations at all of them — including difficult weekend slots at the Auberge — as part of the overall tour brief.
For clients who prefer a private dining experience, we coordinate picnic-format lunches sourced from the Strasbourg market: charcuterie alsacienne, Munster cheese, tarte flambée, and the region's exceptional breads, served at a private domaine with a designated wine pairing from the estate.
The Northern Route: Strasbourg to Saverne
While most visitors focus on the southern stretch toward Colmar, the northern Alsace wine region — the Bas-Rhin — offers extraordinary Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, and Klevener de Heiligenstein that rarely appears on export lists. Villages like Molsheim, Westhoffen, and Bouxwiller are a 30-minute drive from Strasbourg and almost entirely free of tourist groups.
The northern route also passes the château fort of Haut-Barr above Saverne, the Maginot Line fortifications near Siersthal, and the Romanesque abbey of Marmoutier — layers of Alsatian history that give context to the wine culture below.
Planning Your Alsace Wine Route Day
Wine route tours are best booked at least five days in advance to allow time for estate appointment confirmations and restaurant reservations. We recommend a departure time between 9:00 and 10:00 AM for a full-day programme; half-day afternoon tours are available for clients with morning institutional commitments.
Our team prepares a written itinerary with confirmed appointments, GPS waypoints, and restaurant reservations before departure. The client approves it, requests modifications, and then simply gets in the car.