Famille Ruhlmann Schutz

When the Ruhlmann Schutz family speaks about their estate, the first image that comes to mind is Dambach-la-Ville, with its hillsides surrounding the village and its ever-changing colors throughout the seasons. It is also the Grand Cru Frankstein, an emblematic terroir known for its granite soil.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

What is the story behind the estate?

A story deeply rooted in Dambach-la-Ville

Beyond the beauty of the landscape lies the charm of the estate itself, with its inner courtyard, winery and cellar, which set the rhythm of family life throughout the year. The atmosphere changes with the seasons: blooming in spring, lively in summer, intense in autumn during the harvest, and warm in winter when Christmas decorations return.

Our village is beautiful, dynamic and lively,

says Antoine, perfectly summarizing the family’s deep attachment to their native region.

The family history dates back to 1688, when the Ruhlmann family was already established in Dambach-la-Ville. For a long time both farmers and winegrowers, they reached a turning point in the early 1970s when the grandparents, Jean-Charles and Marthe, decided to vinify their own grapes and create their own wines.

The estate then developed with the second generation and is now carried forward by the third, represented by four cousins with complementary profiles: Antoine and Thomas Schutz, Jacques-Emile and Louise-Anne Ruhlmann. Their shared ambition remains true to the spirit of their ancestors while embracing a real freedom in creation.

“Creators of wines,” a simple signature that reflects their desire to be both heirs to a tradition and contributors to a contemporary vision of Alsace wines.

Who runs the domaine today?

A family estate driven by four complementary personalities

Within the estate, each cousin brings their own energy. Jacques-Emile oversees the vineyards and the cellar with a dedicated team, while Antoine and Thomas handle commercial development, communication and the structuring of the estate.

Louise-Anne, with a background in sommellerie and gastronomy, embodies an openness toward hospitality, service and wine tourism. This complementarity is a real strength for the estate, where creativity can flourish without losing sight of high standards.

Our philosophy is based on a simple balance: respecting the heritage of the terroir, passing on family know-how, and above all… maintaining true freedom in creating our wines.

This dynamic is reflected in the family’s current projects. The goal is to continue promoting Alsace wines in France and internationally, while further strengthening the estate’s wine tourism offering.

The family also aims to pursue its environmental commitments and continue creating new cuvées that reflect evolving tastes and consumer expectations. This is part of a clear approach: building a living, sustainable and transferable estate.

What defines the wines?

Wines shaped by Alsatian terroirs and a spirit of innovation

Today, the family vineyard extends over more than 50 hectares around Dambach-la-Ville and several neighboring villages. This diversity allows grape varieties to be adapted to a wide range of geological conditions.

Within this framework, the wines aim to express the richness of the terroirs, respecting Alsatian tradition without ever becoming fixed. This freedom of creation is perfectly illustrated by the story of the “Étoile de Rose,” born in the 1990s from a twist of fate in the cellar, an initial accident that gave rise to one of the estate’s most remarkable cuvées.

Tasting grape juice, hearing and feeling fermentation in the cellar… the spark quickly turned into a passion.

Antoine

His fondest memories are not tied to a single moment, but to all those shared experiences at the estate, during events, with family, clients and friends.

A perfect way to define the Ruhlmann Schutz family: an estate where wine is, above all, about connection, transmission and shared pleasure!

Discover the wines of Famille Ruhlmann Schutz directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Famille Ruhlmann Schutz

Where is the Famille Ruhlmann Schutz estate located?

The estate lies in Dambach-la-Ville, in the heart of the Alsace vineyards. Its plots cover more than 50 hectares around the village and several neighbouring communes, including the Grand Cru Frankstein known for its granite soil.

How long has the Ruhlmann family grown vines in Alsace?

The Ruhlmanns settled in Dambach-la-Ville as early as 1688. Long mixed farmers, they turned fully to wine in the early 1970s, when Jean-Charles and Marthe chose to vinify their own grapes.

Who runs the Ruhlmann Schutz estate today?

The third generation brings together four cousins with complementary roles. Jacques-Emile looks after the vines, Antoine and Thomas handle sales and communication, while Louise-Anne develops hospitality and wine tourism.

What is the Grand Cru Frankstein?

It is one of the flagship terroirs of Dambach-la-Ville, marked by its granite bedrock. This kind of soil shapes the identity of the Alsace wines grown on these hillsides.

What is the story behind the Étoile de Rose cuvée?

This cuvée appeared in the 1990s through a twist of fate during vinification. That happy accident produced one of the estate's most distinctive creations, true to its 'creators of wines' signature.