Route des Vins d’Alsace (Obernai to Kaysersberg)

A 55 km middle section of the Alsace Wine Route, launched in 1953, running along the Vosges foothills from Obernai to Kaysersberg through Barr, Andlau, Dambach-la-Ville and Ribeauvillé and past the ramparts of Riquewihr.

From Obernai, whose golden-hued houses, ramparts and market square Michelin singles out, the route heads south through Heiligenstein to Barr, known for its sylvaner and gewurztraminer, then Mittelbergheim and Andlau. It continues through Itterswiller, Nothalten and Blienschwiller and in through the gates of Dambach-la-Ville, then past Dieffenthal, Scherwiller and Châtenois to Kintzheim, where Michelin suggests the turn up to the Haut-Koenigsbourg. After Orschwiller, Saint-Hippolyte, Rorschwihr and Bergheim comes Ribeauvillé, which Michelin calls the pearl of the vineyard, then Zellenberg and the road past Riquewihr, ringed by ramparts and little changed since the 16th century. The last stretch runs through Mittelwihr, Bennwihr and Sigolsheim to Kientzheim, with its wine museum, and ends at the medieval town of Kaysersberg. The roads are well kept and the driving relaxed, with the vineyard cycle route running alongside.