Helfrich

Image gallery

VISIT THIS PRODUCER'S WEBSITE
LOCATE ON GOOGLE MAPS
VISIT IMPORTER'S WEBSITE
Country of Origin: France
Location: Marlenheim
People: Helfrich Family, Owners | Anne-Laure Helfrich, Director

Items

Helfrich is a family-owned winery that was founded in 1934. For 3 generations, the Helfrich family has been a prominent force in the region’s wine and spirits industry. It all began with René, the grandfather, who produced classic Alsatian specialties like Kirschwasser and Schnapps. Inspired by his father, René’s son Joseph embarked on a new venture in the wine and spirits business, launching Les Grands Chais de France (LGCF) in 1979. LGCF has since grown into one of France’s largest and most successful wine companies. Today, the family’s legacy continues with Frederic Helfrich and his sister Anne-Laure, who are the newest generation driving the international growth of LGCF.

Approximately 300 miles east of Paris, Alsace is the second northernmost growing region (after Champagne) in France. The vineyards run north to south in a long strip on the eastern side of the Vosges Mountains. This range protects the area from oceanic influences and excessive rainfall, creating a climate ideal for wine production with sunny, hot, and dry days, balanced by cool nights. The region is celebrated for its diverse soils, including red and pink sandstone, chalky clay, and limestone, and for its notable grape varieties: Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Muscat.

The Helfrich wines are crafted at the Arthur Metz winery in Marlenheim, located northwest of Strasbourg. Fruit is sourced from six vineyards within the esteemed “Couronne d’Or” (Golden Crown), a prestigious association of vineyards forming a circle, or crown, around Strasbourg. The grand cru wines come from the historic Steinklotz Vineyard, one of the 51 vineyards to receive the esteemed Alsace Grand Cru designation. As the northernmost grand cru vineyard in Alsace, Steinklotz—literally meaning "stone block"—is renowned for its rocky terroir, which imparts a unique character to the wines. This south-facing vineyard, situated on a relatively steep hillside rising between 650 and 980 feet, benefits from optimal sun exposure, resulting in the creation of exceptional wines.