The Ruhlmann-Schutz estate was officially formed in 1994 when André Ruhlmann and Christine Schutz united their families' vineyards, and is now guided by four cousins of the third generation. They farm 53 hectares in Alsace under HVE Level 3 certification and progressive organic conversion. Based in Dambach-la-Ville, a village known for the hillsides surrounding it and its ever-changing colors throughout the seasons, the estate draws on granite, marl, sandstone, and limestone soils along the Vosges foothills, with a climate that is the driest in France thanks to the mountains blocking oceanic moisture. This 2024 Delicat S Rosé is made entirely from Sylvaner, a grape almost always vinified as a white wine in Alsace, but here left in contact with its red-tinged skins just long enough to draw out a pale, delicate pink color, an unusual and distinctive approach for the variety. The result is a light-bodied, softly aromatic rosé with notes of white flowers, citrus peel, and subtle red berry, built for freshness rather than weight. It's also certified vegan, made without any animal-derived fining agents, so it fits cleanly into a plant-based lifestyle without sacrificing character. The result is a genuinely distinctive rosé: a grape rarely used this way, from a family estate with three centuries of history in Dambach-la-Ville behind it.
