Histoire

The Kientzler family has been growing vines for 5 generations in Ribeauvillé and the surrounding area. As a secondary activity in the nineteenth century, wine growing became their main activity in the mid-twentieth century. In 1866, Dominique Alphonse Kientzler bought a grocery shop in the centre of Ribeauvillé. He also owned vines inherited from his father and grandfather, both bakers. In those days, winegrowers used to have another job to make ends meet. In 1895, when Alsace was German, Alphonse Dominique created a wine cooperative in Ribeauvillé together with a few other winegrowers. His son, Alphonse inherited his dynamism and sense of responsibility and became the mayor of Ribeauvillé before WW2. He was reelected after the liberation in 1945.

 Entrance of the grocery store in 1912

He took over the grocery shop which was in full swing. His main customer was a convent housing 900 sisters situated around the corner. Alphone delivered dry food, condiments, fruit and vegetables to the “Sisters of Divine Providence of Ribeauvillé’ twice a week. He also took part in the creation of the Wine fair of Ribeauvillé which was held each year next to the Catholic Church and has now moved to the City Garden.

He employed 3 workers to look after the vines and installed a cellar and a wine press near the grocery shop, in what has become today the Tower Hotel. The stables were situated in the courtyard, housing 2 horses to plow the fields and a cow. Alphonse Kientzler sold most of his wine in bulk but nevertheless bottled his best wines. His main production was Muscat, Chasselas and Riesling, the latter being already in those days the king of the cellar.