Club Corner

WOM October 2026 | A Toast to Alsace

Maison Kuentz-Bas was first established by the Kuentz family in 1795, and the domaine as we know it today was forged through a marriage that joined the Kuentz and Bas families in 1895. Nestled in the town of Husseren-les-Châteaux, it sits at one of the highest points in Alsace, and the vineyards stretch out from the village over an area of ten hectares. More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made these wines perennial favorites, with the grand crus of Eichberg and Pfersigberg earning the highest esteem. However, when the family sold the property to famed vigneron Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estate’s former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian terroir, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. Eager to restore Kuentz-Bas to its former glory, Adam lowered yields significantly and reverted to natural methods, following organic and biodynamic approaches to vineyard work. Jean-Baptiste's daughter, Laure, now oversees the vinification and the domaine. Meticulous attention to detail is the defining characteristic of both the viticulture and the vinification at Kuentz-Bas. The wines are divided into two tiers: Tradition, a fresher collection focusing on fruit character, fermented and aged on the lees in oak foudre for 6-8 months and Trois Châteaux, from the domaine’s finest vineyards. The Trois Châteaux wines are fermented and aged in a stainless steel tank, then bottled and held for a year before release. Reduced doses of sulfur allow for a greater expression of fruit, and a drier fermentation yields crisp, mineral-laden wines with less residual sugar. The wines are therefore more open than ever while still reflecting the unmistakable character of the vineyards that clients have come to expect from the Kuentz-Bas. Alsace’s noble terroir shines through like never before in the domaine’s wines, making these among the greatest white wine values to be found. Cheers, Cameron Anderson 2025 Kuentz-Bas Alsace Blanc Region / Country of Origin:  Alsace, France About the winery: For more than 200 years, the Kuentz-Bas estate has been producing authentic wines, true to their terroir and vinified according to simple and natural methods. Each Kuentz-Bas wine will either reveal the true identity of the grape variety or the expression of the terroir. Choosing a biodynamic viticultural approach has become a major step forward in our quest for excellence. A single taste that will make you understand how our winemaking philosophy is making our wines strikingly different! The Kuentz-Bas family served as a true ambassador of Alsatian winemaking in France and around the world. The estate experienced significant growth, and brilliantly recovered from the devastating World War II while preparing its bright future. The prosperous estate expanded the size of its cellar, and acquired a new bottling chain. In 1954, the estate owned 12 hectares of vines exclusively grown on the steep hills, and continued to build its brand around the world until 2003. About the winemaking: Whole grapes are pressed slowly (generally 4-6 hours) in a pneumatic press, then the must is chilled to 52° F while the heavy lees settle. Then aged for 6 months in hundred-year-old foudre. Nose: A perfumed and lifted nose of white peach, lychee, white flowers (jasmine and honeysuckle), citrus zest, beeswax, and a gentle hint of spice. Tasting Notes: Crisp and invigorating with bright citrus, orchard fruit, and subtle smoky or mineral nuances. It finishes bone-dry with a soft, comforting, and round texture. Winemaker: Laure and Jean-Baptiste Adam Price: $18.99 Varietal: 30% Sylvaner, 25% Riesling, 20% Pinot Blanc, 10% Muscat, 10% Pinot Gris, 5% Gewurztraminer   Suggested Food Pairing:  Crab cakes, seafood rillettes, Simple roast or roasted chicken/poultry, Herb-driven or garden vegetable dishes, Potato samosas, and Hard cheeses or a sliver of Saint-André with a baguette    2025 Kuentz-Bas Pinot Noir Region / Country of Origin:  Alsace, France   About the Winery: The “TROIS CHATEUX” line, our organic and biodynamic wines range, is made exclusively with our own vines, grown with the principles of Biodynamic viticulture since 2004. Kuentz-Bas has officially received the organic certification for the vintage 2007 and the biodynamic certification (Demeter) for the vintage 2008. The Trois Chateaux wines are authentic and emphasize the expression of the terroir on which they are grown. The Trois Chateaux wines are vinified and matured according to ancestral biodynamic practices without modern technology. These are authentic wines that express the terroir from which they come.  Once the fermentation is completed, the wines are matured on fine lees, before the filtration and the bottling. Terroir: Vine Age: 25-35 Years, Soil: Clay, Limestone, Vineyard Area: 1.2 hectares About the winemaking: The grapes are fermented naturally in foudre over 2-3 weeks with daily pumpovers. The wine is aged for 8 months in foudre. The wine is bottled without filtration and then aged for 1 year before release.  Nose: Fragrant and aromatic, featuring crunchy red berries, sweet/soft spices, red cherries, and hints of black tea or floral notes.  Tasting Notes: Light, juicy, and tart with bright red fruit (such as strawberry and cherry) and a generous spice component. Light-bodied, smooth, and refreshing with fine-grained, silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Winemaker: Laure and Jean-Baptiste Adam Price: $28.99 Varietal: Pinot Noir Suggested Food Pairing: Soft or semi-firm cheeses like chèvre (goat cheese), Brie, Camembert, or Comté, Roast chicken, turkey, or Cornish game hens, Mushroom tarts, mushroom pasta, or grilled portobello mushrooms