The siren song of great Alsace wine

The siren song of great Alsace wine

What do mermaids have to do with some of the finest wine in Alsace?

That’s what we were asking ourselves when the designs for this year’s International Hugel Day came through?

After all, Alsace has to be one of France’s most landlocked regions.

Some kind of link to precious terroirs unearthed from beneath prehistoric seas? Legendarily fine white wine? Ariel actually a huge fan of dry Riesling and we missed that bit in the film? It turns out it’s actually a link to Hugel’s own historic past.

Seafaring Alsace wines, now celebrated worldwide

Hugel’s longevity is astonishing. Founded in Riquewihr in 1639 and renowned today as one of Alsace’s elite estates, Jean-Frederic represents the 13^th generation of this storied family winery.

Back at the time of its founding, merchants would carry huge old foudres up and down the Rhine, then across the world from the northern seas.

Astonishingly, some of these foudres survive in Hugel’s ancient cellars – complete with centuries-old etchings by artistic sailors, of treasure chests fish and, you guessed it, merpeople.

(Except actually, they’re sirens).

Tomorrow Hugel is celebrating that nautical heritage, and the importance of water to its vines, operations and wines more broadly with their 17^th annual International Hugel Day.

A worldwide toast to all things Alsace wine in general and Hugel in particular, with glasses raised from Los Angeles to Shanghai, Paris to Vancouver and London to New York.

Here’s to 386 years of Alsace family wines

A history like that deserves celebrating. We’ll be sipping some aromatic whites on social media – join the worldwide celebration tomorrow with a glass of your own favourite, and the hashtag #HugelDay2025.

And as a bonus Friday treat, here’s our freshly-minted new Brand Manager, Hilary, sharing a little more about Hugel and Hugel Day. Cheers!