Rabseppifascht de Voegtlinshoffen

Voegtlinshoffen, a wine jewel of Hatschbourg

Voegtlinshoffen is a small wine village of barely 500 souls, clinging to the sub-Vosges hills between Eguisheim and Gueberschwihr, on the prestigious Alsace Wine Route. The village is renowned for its exceptional terroir: the Grand Cru Hatschbourg, a south-facing slope at an altitude of 210 to 330 meters, offers ideal conditions for Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. It is in this bucolic setting that the Rabseppifascht is held every summer, the festival celebrating the wine and the art of living of this authentic village.

An authentic winegrowers' festival

The Rabseppifascht is organized by the Voegtlinshoffen Festival Committee on the third weekend of July. The word "Rabseppi" in Alsatian dialect refers to the jovial winegrower, the patron figure of the festival. For two days, the village transforms into a large open-air cellar where winegrowers offer their best vintages for tasting. The atmosphere is deliberately rustic and warm, far from large commercial events: here, the authenticity of the terroir and village conviviality take precedence.

Tastings and local gastronomy

The winegrowers of Voegtlinshoffen open their cellars and set up their stalls in the village square for guided tastings at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. Visitors discover wines from the Grand Cru Hatschbourg and the surrounding terroirs, notably the Goldberg: full-bodied Gewurztraminer, elegant Pinot Gris, mineral Riesling, and sparkling Crémant d'Alsace. Volunteers prepare wood-fired tarte flambées, Alsatian pastries, and light meals on-site to accompany the tastings.

The Rabseppi Trail: a race through the vineyards

Since 2011, the Rabseppifascht has hosted the Rabseppi Trail, a foot race that has become a must-attend sporting event in the Haut-Rhin region. Organized by the MJC des Trois Châteaux, this 15.4-kilometer trail with a 490-meter positive elevation gain offers a panoramic route through the Grands Crus Hatschbourg and Goldberg and the Marbach Abbey. The start is given on Saturday at 6 p.m. from the village's multi-purpose hall. Limited to 300 bibs, the trail attracts runners from all over Alsace. After the effort, runners join the village festivities.

Folklore, fireworks, and popular ball

The Rabseppifascht is punctuated by Alsatian folk entertainment: groups of dancers in traditional costumes, musicians, and orchestras perform in the village square throughout the weekend. On Saturday evening, fireworks light up the vineyard, followed by a popular ball that lasts late into the night. On Sunday, the atmosphere is more family-oriented, with walks in the vineyards and tastings at the various stalls. This village festival, driven by the commitment of the festival committee volunteers, embodies the Alsatian joie de vivre in all its simplicity.