An exceptional environment
The vineyards surrounding Hunawihr whisper the timeless story of the village’s cherished bond with the world of wine. As you wind your way up the picturesque, narrow streets, you can appreciate the Alsace traditions passed down over the centuries as they seep from the timber-framed, geranium-bedecked homes.
Nestled at the top of the village, you will find Sipp Mack, a 9th generation family winery, currently run by Laura and Jacques Sipp with their daughter, Carolyn.
Generational winemaking relays
The Sipp Mack winery was created in 1959 following the marriage of two winemaking families, François Sipp from Ribeauvillé and Marie Louise Mack from Hunawihr. In 1983, following his viticulture and enology studies, business school and work experiences in American wineries for 2 years, their son, Jacques, returned to Alsace to join the family estate. He brought his wife, Laura, a Californian graduate from the University of California Davis wine program, back with him.
Jacques and Laura brought new vision to the vineyard and winery operations. Their desire to make consistently high quality, pure wines that reflect their soils led them to combine Alsatian traditions with modern technology and production methods that protect the environment. After years certified sustainable farming and integrated pest management, they converted the entire domain to certified organic farming.
Today, a new breeze flows through the family winery with the arrival of their daughter, Carolyn. Her dynamism and creative ideas enrich and consolidate the domain’s artisanal viticulture and winemaking approach.
Rooted in history yet open to the future, each generation brings initiatives and encouragement to the preceding generation while nourishing each other with their experience.
A modern vision
By recognizing the value of team work among their staff, they strive to create a fulfilling and dynamic work atmosphere.
Not surprisingly, Sipp Mack has evolved over the years. Fifty percent of the wines produced are now available in several export markets. In spite of the relatively rapid changes, the estate has managed to keep its family-oriented nature and its appreciation of its rich heritage. Locals, wine amateurs from near and far, and tourists looking for “the road less traveled” enjoy sharing conversations (often multilingual!) around the tasting room table, surrounded by beautiful artifacts from the past nine generations.
Named after the wild roses growing along its border, the Grand Cru Rosacker vineyards extend to the north of Hunawihr over a surface of 26.18 Ha (64.7 acre). The vineyards face east-south-east at an altitude between 260 and 330m. The soil, a heavy, grey limestone with intertwined layers of marl (calcareous clay), is very rich in calcium and magnesium.
Sipp Mack cultivates 2.10 Ha (5.2 acre) of Riesling Grand Cru Rosacker.
Young, the Riesling Rosacker has a racy, firm temperament with a sharp, peppery aroma that mellows with age. The wines reveal full strength over time, expanding in depth, unveiling complex, yet subtle mineral flavors, which are characteristic of Rieslings from great terroirs.
The Grand Cru Osterberg vineyards are located on the steep, sun-drenched, east-south-eastern slopes of Ribeauvillé at an altitude between 250 and 350 meters. They cover 24.60 Ha (60.8 acre) and have stony, clay-over-marl soils.
Sipp Mack’s Grand Cru Osterberg fields, around 0.84 Ha (2.1 acre), are planted in Riesling and Pinot Gris.
The Riesling Osterberg is opulent, and a touch sweeter and richer than the Grand Cru Riesling Rosacker. With age, it develops a strong body, a wonderfully subtle aroma, and an outstanding mineral character. It is a perfect wine for aging.
The Pinot Gris Osterberg is complex and powerful, with rich fruit sweetness. This richness is perfectly balanced with a good acidity, giving the wine elegance and finesse. The Pinot Gris Osterberg also may be kept for 10 years before drinking.
Domaine Sipp Mack Alsace Pinot Gris Grand Cru Rosacker is made from 100 percent Grand Cru Pinot Gris.
Rigor and diligence were the key words for this emotional 2016 vintage!
The year starts with heavy rainfall and low temperatures, severely delaying the growing cycle. The month of May sees temperatures increase and the tropical atmosphere favors the development of mildew. Finally, the dry and sunny summer allowed our heavy soils to avoid maturity blockages linked to water stress. The 2016 harvest started in early September and ended 7 weeks later, a record!
In the cellar, the sanitary condition was very good, the wines developed freshness, complexity and fine, ripe acidity.
SITUATION
Fresh notes of mango and peach, enhanced by a sweet sensation, dominate the palate. The finish is long thanks to a lively acidity. It will go perfectly with white meats, firm fish and cheeses with character.
Review:
Ripe, pristine notes of yellow pear on this wine's nose come with notions of creamy banana and vanilla. The palate carries rich, concentrated fruit, but in a precise fashion that channels the rounded ripeness into smooth generosity. A vein of freshness and smidge of sweetness give the fruit staying power and verve. Together they present an off-dry wine with immense potential and elegance. Drink by 2045.
-Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
Anakota Wines Helena Dakota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Helena Dakota is defined by its power, structure and sophistication. It is an intricate Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects both the terroir of the site and the influence of the surrounding Knights Valley AVA. It possesses layers of plums, anise, cassis, leather, bay leaf and cedar. Galvanized by a streak of minerals and bold tannins. Helena Dakota is a solidly-built wine that stands the test of time.
This sloping, 12-acre vineyard runs southwest to northeast at roughly 750 feet above sea level. It features soft, reddish brown, gravelly, silt loam soils speckled with rocks. Prevailing westerly winds blow over a large pond and continue uphill parallel to the rows of vines. These cooling breezes slow the ripening process creating wines that are both powerful and balanced with red fruit flavors, notable minerality and graceful tannins. Pierre says the Cabernet from Helena Dakota remind him of Pauillac or Saint-Estèphe.
Fragrant, opulent, and complex, bursting with fresh blueberry and black currant, Crème de Violette, and subtle fresh bay leaf aromatics. The palate is luxurious and rich, perfectly balancing this wine’s firm structure.
Review:
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard explodes with violets, aniseed and cast iron, with a deep core of crushed blueberries and black cherries, evolving continually with each approach to the glass. The palate is stunning with its intensity and lift, pure fruits, pixelated tannins and focused acidity that drives the very long finish. Its exceptional balance and super pure flavors, plus that characteristic streak of iron that appears across the Anakota portfolio, really take the 2019 Helena Dakota to the next level.
-Wine Advocate 99 Points
Kershaw Smugglers Boot Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir made from French clones PN667, PN115 and PN113.
The name derives from the time of trade embargoes in South Africa when growers & winemakers smuggled grapevine material into the country by hiding the cuttings in Wellington boots. The Smuggler’s Boot range celebrates that ingenuity.
Attractive strawberry, savory and star anise spice linger on the nose. Juicy and sumptuous on the mid palate with breadth of flavor offset by a nimbleness of fresh acidity, friable tannins and sinuous mouthfeel, this Pinot unwraps to earthy, fennel, chocolate and a hint of incense to a long supple finish.
Handpicked grapes were first bunch sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed and the destemmed berries sorted to remove jacks and substandard berries. After a 3-day maceration in 500kg open-topped fermenters, the uncrushed grapes began a spontaneous fermentation. A gentle pigeage program was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 10-16 days.
The free-run wine was racked to a combination of 50% French oak barrels (10% new) and 50% breathable plastic eggs with the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic then proceeded followed by a light sulphuring after which the wine was racked off Malolactic lees and returned to cleaned barrels for an 11-month maturation. No finings, simply racked and light filtration prior to bottling.
Richard Kershaw’s personal suggestions for dishes include charcuterie, its salt and fat being complemented by the delicate spicy notes and fruit; Pork loin with honey, pepper, and lemon-zest glaze; Carpaccio; duck cassoulet; ovenroasted monkfish with garlic mashed potatoes; seared tuna; wild mushroom risotto; a simple beet salad with some hazelnuts and ricotta cheese; a slice of Brie or Gorgonzola dolce.