January’s portrait: Rémy Bohr, passionate about wine and events at the Bohr estate

2. 2. A journey between farm machinery and family vineyards

Before taking over the winery, Rémy Bohr worked in the agricultural sector. ” Before taking over the family estate, I worked for CLAAS France, selling agricultural machinery, mainly in the Hauts-de-France region,” he explains. After four years away from the vines, the call of the land and the family was stronger. “I decided to put my nose back into the family adventure and take over the estate after my parents, with my brothers: my twin Paul and my older brother Serge”.

This decision was both a personal choice and a question of passing on the family tradition. ” What made me want to take the plunge was above all the family adventure and the pride of taking over an estate that my grandfather created with my grandmother in the 1970s, and of continuing this tradition”, he confides.

2. 2. The daily life of a winegrower like no other

The winegrowing profession is multifaceted, and that’s what appeals to Rémy Bohr. “What I find most exciting is breaking the routine. We have both the exhibition side, when we meet our customers at Christmas markets or elsewhere, and also the possibility of receiving them directly at the estate”, he explains.

But what he loves most of all isevents. “I’m still most passionate about events. The Open Bohr is a great success, whether at the Guinguette, Wine Night or the Panic Factory on Halloween. And in the near future, you’ll be seeing something new,” he announces with a smile.

2. 2. A family history with roots in Gimbrett

Domaine Bohr traces its origins back to the 1970s. Marthe and Alfred Bohr, Rémy’s grandparents, began producing wine, initially for friends, before gradually opening up to a wider clientele. Thanks to word of mouth and the reputation of the famous Rouge du Kochersberg, the estate became increasingly well-known, attracting restaurateurs and private customers alike.

Today, the family continues to cultivate its plots on a rich terroir. ” We’re lucky to have clay-limestone soil and a south-western exposure, which means that our grapes ripen naturally, with lots of fruitiness and crispness that we then find in our wines,” says Rémy.

2. 2. Wines that reflect Alsace’s terroir

Domaine Bohr produces a wide range of Alsatian grape varieties, with a focus on emblematic cuvées. “We produce all seven Alsatian grape varieties, as well as Pinot Noir vinified as Rouge du Kochersberg, after red maceration. This is now the pride of the estate, not forgetting the Crémant, made from Chardonnay, which is very much in demand for receptions and weddings”, explains Rémy.

The demand for quality is reflected in every bottle. Although the estate is not yet organic, since 2016 it has been committed to an HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale – High Environmental Value) scheme, which promotes sustainable agriculture. “I think that in the years to come, we will be forced to go organic. But for the time being, we are actively working towards HVE,” he explains.

2. 2. The highlight of the year: the grape harvest

For Rémy, each season has its own importance, but one period stands out above the rest: “My favourite time of year is harvest time. After a whole year’s work, it’s the fruit of our efforts. We can taste the result directly in our vats, with our families or brothers, before deciding how we’re going to present the vintage to our customers”.

The harvest, a moment of both hard work and conviviality, symbolises the strength of the family spirit that has animated the estate since its beginnings.

2. 2. Open Bohr: a year-round estate

In addition to wine production, Domaine Bohr has become a real place of life thanks to its events. ” At Domaine Bohr, you can find various events throughout the year under the name Open Bohr: the Guinguettes du vigneron, the Music Festival, the Panic Factory at Halloween, the Wine Night…”, says Rémy.

Visitors can also book tours and tastings all year round, for groups of between ten and a hundred people, in French, German or English. This dynamic approach is helping to anchor the estate firmly in the local cultural and tourist landscape.

2. 2. Attracting the younger generation

Like many Alsace winegrowers, Rémy Bohr has identified a major challenge: attracting a younger audience. “The biggest challenge today is attracting young people. They often have the cliché that wine is for old people or that it’s expensive. But thanks to our events every year, we’re managing to attract more and more of them,” he observes.

The estate is therefore banking on events and innovation to change attitudes. ” In a few months’ time, you’ll be able to take part in the famous XXL pretzel hunt, which is taking place all over Alsace,” says Rémy enthusiastically.

2. 2. Looking to the future: quality and innovation

The future of the estate is shaped by the combination of high standards and creativity. “Over the next few years, we’ll be working on reducing production: less quantity, more quality. And certainly more events to attract new French, German or English customers”, he explains.

There’s no shortage of projects: after a successful Christmas market, the Domaine is preparing the return of the XXL pretzel hunt at Easter, a drawing competition and a new programme for the Guinguettes.

2. 2. Conclusion

This January’s portrait highlights Rémy Bohr, a passionate winegrower and the driving force behind a new dynamic in winegrowing and festive events. Proud of his heritage, he is the embodiment of an estate that successfully combines tradition and modernity, quality winemaking and convivial events.

Through his initiatives, he shows that wine is not just about the terroir, but also a vehicle for social interaction and sharing. As he likes to say: “Harvesting is the fruit of our labour, but it’s also a time for family and conviviality, which we want to pass on to our customers”.