The Cave de Ribeauvillé is above all a family affair, a matter of passion, and has been for over 128 years.
OUR STORY
FRANCE'S FIRST COOPERATIVE
The Cave de Ribeauvillé is above all a family affair, a matter of passion, and has been for over 128 years.
The Cave de Ribeauvillé, the first cooperative in France, was founded in 1895. In the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian war, and in response to the crisis, 44 Alsatian winegrowing families decided to unite their harvest around a common project. Forerunners throughout the vineyards, they organized a wine cooperative in the pretty village of Ribeauvillé on the Alsace Wine Route.
The spirit of mutual aid and solidarity that inspired the Cave’s founding fathers lives on today. Of the 44 families who initiated the project, 41 continue to bring the Cave to life day after day. After all these years, 80% of family names remain unchanged. At the Cave de Ribeauvillé, the love of vines and wine is passed down from generation to generation. For more than 128 years, a family history has been written, the story of committed and passionate winemakers.
A MOSAIC OF TERROIRS
Our 245-hectare vineyard is concentrated 5 km north and 8 km south of the village of Ribeauvillé. Situated on a geological fault, it offers a wide variety of soils. Every 300 metres, the type of terroir varies. From granite to limestone, clay to sandstone, the imprint of terroir gives Cave wines an extra soul, a touch that’s both singular and complex. Each wine captures the very essence of the terroir where the grapes were grown, offering a unique and authentic taste experience.
What makes our wines unique
Unwavering dedication, perfect mastery of production and unwavering professionalism are the hallmarks of this unique winery.
6e
Generation of passionate winemakers
245 Ha
Hand-picked vines that respect nature
74
Cuvées resulting from meticulous plot selection
23
Wines & Crémants d’Alsace rewarded in 2022
THE FACES OF THE CELLAR
Our winemakers are passionate craftsmen who cultivate their vines with dedication, creating Alsace wines of exceptional quality. Their expert hands and commitment to tradition are evident in every bottle, demonstrating the harmonious marriage between ancestral know-how and winemaking innovation.
Yves Baltenweck
President and winegrower in Ribeauvillé
Yves is a Ribeauvillé winegrower and has been President of the Cave since 1976. “On the board, I unite my fellow winemakers around the passion that drives us all: viticulture. The Cave de Ribeauvillé is a jewel of quality for which we are the guarantors.”
In the Baltenweck family, one generation follows another. Yves’ grandfather was one of the Cave’s first presidents and founding fathers. Today, his daughter Léa is also a member of the Ribeauvillé family, a winegrower and businesswoman.
Éric & Jean Bailly
Winegrowers in Ribeauvillé
With his razor-sharp Parisian accent, we’d have imagined him starring in films with Gabin, Blier or Ventura… rather than pruning vines in a traditional Alsatian village! Yet Jean Bailly is, accent aside, a true Alsatian winemaker… and he and his son Éric uphold its values. Jean joined the Cave de Ribeauvillé in 1991 to devote himself entirely to the work in the vineyard, his passion.
Henri Windholtz
Winegrower in Rodern
With his sparkling blue eyes and smile, Henri gives the impression of a frank, sincere, almost mischievous character. “The vine must be my reflection. It must be well cared for, generous (without excess) and cheerful…” That says it all. For Henri, the vine is more than a passion; it’s an extension of his personality, and he’s not short of one!
When his father-in-law retired in 1997, he decided to take over the running of the estate, entrusting it to the Cave de Ribeauvillé, as has been the tradition for several generations.
THE FACES OF THE CELLAR
Our winemakers are passionate craftsmen who cultivate their vines with dedication, creating Alsace wines of exceptional quality. Their expert hands and commitment to tradition are evident in every bottle, demonstrating the harmonious marriage between ancestral know-how and winemaking innovation.
Yves Baltenweck
President and winegrower in Ribeauvillé
Yves is a Ribeauvillé winegrower and has been President of the Cave since 1976. “On the board, I unite my fellow winemakers around the passion that drives us all: viticulture. The Cave de Ribeauvillé is a jewel of quality for which we are the guarantors.”
In the Baltenweck family, one generation follows another. Yves’ grandfather was one of the Cave’s first presidents and founding fathers. Today, his daughter Léa is also a member of the Ribeauvillé family, a winegrower and businesswoman.
Éric & Jean Bailly
Winegrowers in Ribeauvillé
With his razor-sharp Parisian accent, we’d have imagined him starring in films with Gabin, Blier or Ventura… rather than pruning vines in a traditional Alsatian village! Yet Jean Bailly is, accent aside, a true Alsatian winemaker… and he and his son Éric uphold its values. Jean joined the Cave de Ribeauvillé in 1991 to devote himself entirely to the work in the vineyard, his passion.
Henri Windholtz
Winegrower in Rodern
With his sparkling blue eyes and smile, Henri gives the impression of a frank, sincere, almost mischievous character. “The vine must be my reflection. It must be well cared for, generous (without excess) and cheerful…” That says it all. For Henri, the vine is more than a passion; it’s an extension of his personality, and he’s not short of one!
When his father-in-law retired in 1997, he decided to take over the running of the estate, entrusting it to the Cave de Ribeauvillé, as has been the tradition for several generations.