Alsatian Vineyard Route

The Alsatian Vineyard Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) is a scenic wine road in northeastern France that runs along the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains and links many of Alsace’s principal wine-producing villages.

The route is about 170 km long from Marlenheim in the north to Thann in the south and passes through characteristic towns and villages such as Obernai, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Colmar; the road is lined by vineyards and tasting cellars operated by local producers.

The route is used for day trips and multi-day drives, and it is especially busy during the grape-harvest period and at local wine festivals when producers open cellars for tastings.

Geographically it runs through the Grand Est region, cutting across the departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin on the Vosges’ eastern foothills.

• Length and endpoints: The official wine route runs for roughly 170 km along the eastern flank of the Vosges, linking many of Alsace's principal wine-producing villages between Marlenheim in the north and Thann in the south.
• Best seasons: Best visiting periods are late spring through autumn, with harvest-related events and wine festivals in autumn offering many tasting opportunities in the villages along the route.

What to See #

• Obernai: Obernai is a historical market town frequently used as a gateway to the northern vineyards and known for its fortified centre and local wine tasting venues.
• Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé: Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé are well-preserved medieval villages set among steep vineyard slopes and are commonly visited for their architecture and wine tourism.
• Colmar: Colmar is the region's largest city on the route and serves as a cultural and logistical hub for exploring vineyards in southern Alsace.