I love the setting: around twenty 200-year-old oak barrels and a guided tasting inside the cellar. I also love that you get a five-wine, commented flight followed by a picnic basket you can eat there or take away. One heads-up: a noticeable chunk of the visit is spent in the 180° video space, so if you’re allergic to “story time,” plan for that.

This is a small-group experience (max 20) offered in English, about 20 minutes from Strasbourg. It’s also priced as a bundle: you’re not just paying for wine tasting, you’re getting food, too—which is the part that turns it into a proper afternoon plan.

Key points to know before you go

• 200-year-old barrels (10,000L each) set the tone from minute one
• Five wines are tasted with commentary, not just handed to you
• The 180° barrel film explains the house and its work philosophy in the cellar
• Picnic basket + half bottle of wine is included at the end
• Vegetarian picnic can be arranged if you request it
• Small groups (max 20) keep things personal without feeling rushed

Entering Zeyssolff Cellar at Au Peche Vigneron

Your tour starts at 156 Rte de Strasbourg, 67140 Gertwiller. If you’re using public transport, it’s close to the Gertwiller station, and you should be able to walk about 5 minutes from there. From Strasbourg, you’re roughly 20 minutes out, and from Colmar it’s about 30 minutes with a train change (Barr) or a longer walk.

Once you arrive, the main thing you notice is scale and smell. This is a real wine cellar, built around huge oak barrels and a room made for aging. You’ll spend time looking at the natural spaces where ZEYSSOLFF wines are born and aged, which gives the visit a grounded feel instead of a showroom vibe.

A standout detail is the ZEYSSOLFF drum, made in 1897 for the Universal Exhibition in Paris (1900) and still used today. You’ll hear about why a piece of historic equipment like that still matters, beyond the novelty. It’s one of those “wait, really?” moments that makes the tour feel specific to this place.

This venue has also been renovated after a complete biological conversion of the Maison Zeyssolff. In plain terms: they’re leaning into sustainable practice, and the space now supports both education and a bit of theatre.

The five-wine tasting: how the flight actually works

The heart of the visit is a commented tasting of five wines. That word—commented—matters. This isn’t just tasting notes you have to guess at. A guide talks you through production and what you should be noticing as you go.

Expect a guided explanation of wine production secrets while you’re standing in the cellar. You’ll also learn about the natural aging environment, not just the grapes. That helps you connect what you smell and taste to what’s happening in the barrel room.

Your starter is simple but classic: one pretzel. That’s not random; it keeps the pacing friendly so you’re not trying to taste five wines on an empty stomach. You’ll also have water included with the picnic food, which is practical if you’re planning to keep enjoying the day afterward.

One small detail to know about the tasting flow: the tasting is designed as a progressive sequence, so you may not see constant rinsing or switching of glasses between pours. If you’re very particular about that for taste, ask the guide how they handle it during the flight. Otherwise, focus on comparing each wine’s character as they move through the lineup.

Also, you do get a historic touch here. Between the barrels and the equipment, the tour makes it clear the house is balancing tradition with modern presentation—especially once the video segment begins (more on that next).

The 180° barrel film: part education, part performance

After the cellar introduction, you’ll enter a scenographic space with a 180° barrel-projected video. The film focuses on the family and their work philosophy. It’s projected right on the barrels in the cellar, so it’s not a separate theatre room with a completely different atmosphere.

For many people, this is the “wow” moment—especially if the weather is grey or rainy, because the main experience stays indoors. For you as a planner, it matters because it changes the pacing. You’re not sprinting from one table to another. You’re taking a breath, then stepping back into tasting.

Here’s the honest consideration: some folks find a video segment that’s around the size of a full half-hour to be too much if they came only for conversation and wine. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means your expectations should match the format.

If you like learning with your eyes as well as your ears, this part will feel like a clever way to connect the tasting to a story. If you prefer a straight-up workshop with minimal theatre, be mentally prepared for the format shift.

My advice: bring curiosity, not a stopwatch. The film sets context that makes the wine explanations land better.

Your picnic basket lunch: take it away or stay

At the end of the visit, you get a picnic basket to take away or eat on the terrace or even in the cellar. This is where the experience becomes more than a quick tasting.

The picnic contents are food-forward and generous. Your “main” includes:

• 3 cheeses and 3 cold cuts
• raw ingredients and bread
• water
• 1/2 bottle of wine

There’s also dessert: one seasonal fruit plus a muffin. And if you’re wondering whether it’s enough, the answer is yes—you’re not just nibbling.

There’s an easy win for dietary flexibility too. On request, you can make it vegetarian. That’s the sort of detail that saves you from awkward workaround hunting during a long afternoon in Alsace.

The presentation is practical rather than fancy. You may notice everything is packed in a basket-style format instead of laid out like a formal outdoor spread. If you dream of a perfectly arranged picnic scene with a blanket, you can always add your own small touch—like bringing a compact picnic cloth if you’re set on that look.

Also note: you don’t need to buy extra drinks right away. The half bottle included with your picnic is part of what you’re paying for. The result is that you leave feeling fed, not just politely sampled.

One more plus: the setting gives you options. If the weather is decent, you can choose the terrace. If it’s not, the cellar or indoor seating keeps the vibe comfortable.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The price is $58.81 per person, for about 1 hour 30 minutes. For wine-only tastings in the area, that can feel like a lot if you’re comparing apples to apples. But this isn’t a wine-only event.

You’re paying for:

• a guided, commented tasting of five wines
• food that includes a pretzel starter
• a full picnic basket with cheeses, cold cuts, bread, water
• dessert (seasonal fruit + muffin)
• and 1/2 bottle of wine included

That bundle is the real value here. Even if you don’t plan to buy bottles afterward, you’re getting a full “afternoon meal” plus wine, all structured by the hosts.

Another value driver is group size. With a maximum of 20 people, you don’t feel like a number shuttled through a room. You’re part of a small group that can actually hear explanations without battling for attention.

Finally, consider timing demand. This is often booked about 8 days in advance, which usually means the slots aren’t endless. If you’re aiming for a specific day, reserve rather than hoping.

Getting there from Strasbourg or Colmar without ruining your schedule

Because the visit is about 1.5 hours, it fits nicely as an in-between stop. You can pair it with a day exploring Strasbourg or nearby wine villages without feeling like you’ve locked up half your vacation.

From Strasbourg, you’re around 20 minutes away, and the Gertwiller station is workable. The walk from the station is about 5 minutes, which is enough to make train travel feel realistic rather than stressful.

From Colmar, it’s about 30 minutes with a train change in Barr or a longer walk (about 20 minutes) depending on your setup. That’s manageable if you plan your day with a little buffer.

One practical warning: trains may run on an hourly rhythm, so you might have waiting time before or after. That doesn’t make the tour a bad idea, but it can affect your overall pacing. If you’re building a day-by-day plan, give yourself slack around arrival and departure.

Also, it’s close to public transportation, and service animals are allowed. “Most people can participate,” so unless you know you need specialized assistance, this is usually a friendly choice.

Who should book this, and who might skip

This works best if you’re:

• new to Alsace wine and want a guided explanation you can actually follow
• the type who appreciates place-based learning (barrels, equipment, and cellar context)
• craving a sit-and-snack lunch that doesn’t require hunting a restaurant

It’s also a good choice if you’re visiting in weather that might mess with outdoor plans. The experience is centered in the cellar, and the terrace option is a bonus rather than a requirement.

You might think twice if:

• you strongly dislike video or scripted presentation and want mostly conversation
• you’re trying to squeeze in multiple stops back-to-back with zero gaps (train timing could make that tricky)

If that sounds like you, consider whether you want a wine stop with food included, or a shorter tasting you can stack tightly in your itinerary.

Should you book the Zeyssolff wine tasting and picnic?

Yes—if you want one well-run afternoon that combines wine, education, and a real meal. The pricing makes sense because it’s not only five wines; it’s also a picnic basket with cheese, cold cuts, dessert, and a half bottle.

Book it early if you can. Slots move, and it’s the kind of experience that many people treat as a highlight day.

Just go in with the right expectation: part of the experience is a 180° barrel-projected film, not just talking over tasting glasses. If you can roll with that format, you’ll get a fuller sense of how the Maison ZEYSSOLFF connects its wines to its people, its process, and the cellar itself.

FAQ

How long does the Zeyssolff winery visit last?

It’s about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.).

How many wines are tasted during the visit?

You’ll have a commented tasting of 5 wines.

What is included in the picnic basket?

The picnic basket includes 3 cheeses, 3 cold cuts, bread, water, a seasonal fruit and muffin for dessert, and 1/2 bottle of wine.

Can the picnic basket be made vegetarian?

Yes. A vegetarian basket is possible if you request it.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What’s the maximum group size?

The experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is 156 Rte de Strasbourg, 67140 Gertwiller, France.

How far is it from Strasbourg, and can you go by train?

It’s about 20 minutes from Strasbourg. You can come by train to Gertwiller station, which is about a 5-minute walk from the meeting point.

Is it near public transportation?

Yes, it is near public transportation.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.