The vineyards surrounding Hunawihr whisper the timeless story of the village’s intimate bond with the world of wine. Traditions passed down over the centuries seep from the timber-framed, geranium-decked homes that wind their way through the narrow streets of the ancient village to the Sipp Mack winery.
The winery, nestled at the top of the town, is run by Jacques Sipp and his wife, Laura. Nine generations of Jacques’ family have made wine on this site, beginning in 1698.
Sipp Mack is the fruit of the union of two local winemaking families. The winery was formed in 1959, with the marriage of François Sipp of Ribeauvillé and Marie Louise Mack of Hunawihr. In 1983, following his studies in viticulture, oenology and business, and after two years’ work with farms and wineries in the United States, Jacques returned to Alsace to join his parents at the family estate. He brought Laura, a graduate of the University of California Davis Viticulture and Oenology program, back to France with him in 1985.
Jacques and Laura introduced a new vision to the vineyard and winery operations. Their desire to offer consistently top quality wines that reflect the land that they come from led them to combine Alsatian traditions with modern technology, all while protecting the environment.
The Sipp Mack estate harvests and vinifies grapes grown on approximately 22 hectares of vineyards located within four kilometers of the winery, in the villages of Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé and Bergheim. The terroirs (soils) are varied, but essentially they consist of calcareous clay.
Sipp Mack's vines are cultivated using organic farming methods. The family’s choice to convert to organic status reflects its desire to work in a healthy atmosphere, without pesticides and chemical fertilisers. They also wish to preserve the environment by fostering the natural balance between the soil and the vines to create dynamic ecosystems. The Sipps encourage the biodiversity of fauna and flora through the use of cover crops and the maintenance of bush hedges - home to many small birds, insects and animals. They avoid soil erosion by carefully preserving old stone walls and, through composting and tilling, they improve the aeration of the soils which helps to maintain ideal levels of humidity.
These actions create healthy vines that are more insect and disease resistant and produce more flavoursome, better balanced fruit. To further improve fruit quality, yields are voluntarily reduced by pruning the canes short in winter and by thinning the immature grape bunches in summer.
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The winery, nestled at the top of the town, is run by Jacques Sipp and his wife, Laura. Nine generations of Jacques’ family have made wine on this site, beginning in 1698.
Sipp Mack is the fruit of the union of two local winemaking families. The winery was formed in 1959, with the marriage of François Sipp of Ribeauvillé and Marie Louise Mack of Hunawihr. In 1983, following his studies in viticulture, oenology and business, and after two years’ work with farms and wineries in the United States, Jacques returned to Alsace to join his parents at the family estate. He brought Laura, a graduate of the University of California Davis Viticulture and Oenology program, back to France with him in 1985.
Jacques and Laura introduced a new vision to the vineyard and winery operations. Their desire to offer consistently top quality wines that reflect the land that they come from led them to combine Alsatian traditions with modern technology, all while protecting the environment.
The Sipp Mack estate harvests and vinifies grapes grown on approximately 22 hectares of vineyards located within four kilometers of the winery, in the villages of Hunawihr, Ribeauvillé and Bergheim. The terroirs (soils) are varied, but essentially they consist of calcareous clay.
Sipp Mack's vines are cultivated using organic farming methods. The family’s choice to convert to organic status reflects its desire to work in a healthy atmosphere, without pesticides and chemical fertilisers. They also wish to preserve the environment by fostering the natural balance between the soil and the vines to create dynamic ecosystems. The Sipps encourage the biodiversity of fauna and flora through the use of cover crops and the maintenance of bush hedges - home to many small birds, insects and animals. They avoid soil erosion by carefully preserving old stone walls and, through composting and tilling, they improve the aeration of the soils which helps to maintain ideal levels of humidity.
These actions create healthy vines that are more insect and disease resistant and produce more flavoursome, better balanced fruit. To further improve fruit quality, yields are voluntarily reduced by pruning the canes short in winter and by thinning the immature grape bunches in summer.
