Samuel Tottoli
France
Samuel's Wines
- France
- 2Â wines
- 1Â style
A Tottoli-talented Alsatian winemaker with a sommelier's spirit
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Originally destined for life as a sommelier, Samuel Tottoli was bitten by the winemaking bug after visiting, talking and tasting with winemakers who passed their passion onto him. He made his first wine in 1998 and, over 20 years later, he’s never looked back since.
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A specialist in Alsatian wines, Samuel begins every new vintage with a simple objective: to create the finest wines possible. With a focus on finesse, elegance and complexity, he’s excited to show you the incredible quality of the Alsace region - particularly his rich Rieslings.
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Samuel admits he still has a bit of the old sommelier spirit in him. He can’t even look at a wine without picturing a delicious food pairing to go with it, and he often makes winemaking decisions by thinking of a dish and imagining how he could create the perfect wine for it. So make sure to try out his foodie tips while enjoying his Riesling. Bon appetit!
Vineyard Location
Samuel Tottoli's Story
Samuel's Story
Initially, I wasn’t destined for winemaking because I started my career in catering and I continued my studies to become a sommelier.
After I graduated, I practiced for 2 years.
I was often in contact with winemakers and I quickly understood that I wanted to deepen my knowledges in this area. So, I get back to school and I choose a work-study diploma that allowed me to work in a winery in Alsace and studying in the same time.
After 2 years I realized that my path was the winemaking and I decided to put aside the sommelier’s part and to pursue my career within a winery to improve myself and practice day after day.
My first vinification was 1998 where I was able to express myself on pinot noir during 2 years then I continued with whites from 2000. This is my 22nd vintages this year.
As with lots of winemakers, I have full and well-organized day: between the vineyard, the cellar and the commercialization. The profession has evolved in recent years and it is often necessary to cut in 4 to meet current expectations.
When I vinify a wine I automatically think about what dish I would pair it with, this automatically influences my choices to find the perfect balance.
Every vintage is a new challenge with always the same objective : create the finest wines.
The most challenging part of the job is to choose the right time to obtain perfect maturity in the grapes which allows to find the best balance possible for the final wine.
The most important people who make my wine a reality are the Family Rinaldi without whom the domain Kirrenbourg wouldn’t exist. And naturally, my team who works alongside me every day.
I do love fine cuisine, spending time at the dinner time, tasting new wines and deepen my knowledges. I also love learning about different culture, sport in general and travelling.
Take all the pleasure you can during the tasting of our wines as much as we did during their production. Let yourself be bewitched by their finesse, elegance and their mineral depth.
Continue to strive for excellence each vintage so that our customers can always have as much pleasure with our wines!
