Alsace Wine Route: Small Group Winery Tour & Tastings

Summary

Alsace white wines, village lanes and laughter on a small group tour

You’ll travel from Strasbourg along the Alsace Wine Route with a local guide, stopping at three wineries for tastings of Riesling and Gewürztraminer in villages like Mittelbergheim and Ribeauvillé. Expect laughter, stories from winemakers, and plenty of time to wander cobbled streets — plus transport included so you can relax into each glass.

What’s the experience like?

We started out from Strasbourg just after breakfast — I was still finishing my coffee when our guide, Claire, pulled up in the minivan. She had that gentle Alsatian accent and a knack for making everyone relax right away. The air was cool but you could already smell spring somewhere in the vineyards as we headed towards Mittelbergheim. I remember passing rows of half-timbered houses, their shutters a little crooked, flowers spilling over window boxes. Claire joked that even locals get lost in these winding streets sometimes.

The first winery felt like someone’s home — the winemaker’s dog greeted us before he did. Inside, it smelled faintly of yeast and stone. We tried Riesling that tasted sharper than I expected, almost like biting into a green apple. No snacks (Claire explained it’s a French thing — something about not interfering with the wine), so by the third glass my stomach was rumbling but honestly, I didn’t mind much. In Dambach-la-Ville, an older woman poured Gewürztraminer and told us how her father used to hide bottles during the war. Her hands moved constantly as she spoke; I tried to say “merci” properly and she grinned at my accent.

Between stops we’d catch glimpses of the Vosges hills through misty windows. Ribeauvillé looked straight out of a storybook — pastel facades, storks’ nests balanced on chimneys. At one point our group just stood quietly outside the last winery, watching clouds drift over the vines. It was one of those rare silences where nobody feels awkward. I still think about that view sometimes when I open a bottle at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Alsace Wine Route and Tastings

• Travel from Strasbourg
• Visit Mittelbergheim town
• Enjoy first winery tasting
• Visit Dambach-la-Ville town
• Enjoy second winery tasting
• Visit Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr towns
• Enjoy third winery tasting
• Return to Strasbourg

Top questions

How many wineries are visited on this Alsace wine tour?

The tour includes three guided wine tastings at selected wineries along the Alsace Wine Route.

Is lunch or food included during the wine tastings?

No food or snacks are provided during tastings to preserve wine flavors; it's recommended to eat beforehand.

Where does this day trip start and end?

The tour starts and ends in Strasbourg, with return just outside the Grande-Ile district during Christmas period.

How many people are in each group?

The small group is limited to eight people for a more personal experience.

Are children allowed on this Alsace wine tasting tour?

No, this is an adult-only tour; children under 18 are not permitted.

What wines will we taste during the day trip?

You’ll taste characteristic Alsace white wines such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer at each winery.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at a designated point in Strasbourg for departure.

Is transportation provided between towns and wineries?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan is included throughout the day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable minivan transport from Strasbourg with an English-speaking local guide, three guided tastings at different Alsace wineries (Riesling and Gewürztraminer among them), plus plenty of time exploring villages along the route before returning to town together in the evening.