Alsatian Wines Museum

Alsatian Wines Museum, operated as Vino Storia, is an interactive wine-history museum at 12 Place de la Cathédrale, 68000 Colmar, in the historic centre beside the Collégiale Saint-Martin. It follows nearly two millennia of Alsatian vine growing through the people, tools, aromas and vessels behind the region’s distinctive wines, ending with a tasting. Travelers come for a compact, sensory introduction to the vineyards before exploring Colmar’s old streets or driving the Alsace Wine Route.

What to Expect at Alsatian Wines Museum

The visit is built around 400 objects from the Klipfel collection, moving from the Alsace vineyard to the workrooms of the professions that make wine possible. Look for vignerons’ serpettes, presses and pruning equipment, then the bench, planes and other implements associated with the cooper. Barrels, Roemer drinking glasses, ruby glass and the region’s instantly recognizable tall Alsace bottle show how wine was stored, served and sent onward. Fifty audio points give the displays a useful human scale, explaining local folklore, vineyard traditions and changing techniques.

This is not a museum of labels behind glass alone. Fifteen interactive experiences include an aroma wheel that asks visitors to identify notes associated with Alsatian grape varieties. The final tasting features wines from the Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar; visitors who do not drink alcohol receive grape juice designed around similar aromatic notes. Before leaving, create a personal wine label, a particularly good detail for families and for anyone wanting a small, hands-on souvenir. Reserve online through the official Vino Storia website, especially on weekends and during the summer wine-route season.

• Klipfel collection: 400 historic pieces trace vineyard labour, cellar work and wine service in Alsace.
• Wine professions: Meet the vigneron, cooper, glassmaker and cork maker through their specialized tools and finished work.
• Listening route: 50 audio-guide points add stories of the vineyard, regional customs and winemaking knowledge.
• Aroma workshop: Use the aroma wheel to train your nose around the scents associated with Alsatian cépages.
• Included tasting: Taste Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar wines, or choose the aromatic grape-juice alternative.

Alsatian Wines Museum at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Arrive close to the 10am opening for the clearest run at the aroma stations and audio points, or reserve a timed ticket before entering the old town on a busy Saturday. The museum is a short walk from the Théâtre bus stop; use the Trace Colmar network journey planner for the best service from the station or your hotel. Drivers should leave the car at Parking de la Montagne Verte rather than attempt the narrow, pedestrian-heavy lanes around Place de la Cathédrale.

The route is indoors and compact, with frequent opportunities to pause at displays and listening points. Because the museum occupies a historic-centre setting, wheelchair users and visitors with strollers should call ahead about step-free entry and circulation through the exhibition rooms. Pair it with the Gothic Collégiale Saint-Martin directly outside, the Musée Bartholdi on Rue des Marchands, and the canals and half-timbered houses of Little Venice, all reachable in roughly five to fifteen minutes on foot. There is no need to dress formally; comfortable walking shoes suit the cobbled centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Alsatian Wines Museum open, and when should I go?

The museum opens daily from 10am to 6pm. Visit at opening or later in the afternoon for a more relaxed pace at the interactive aroma experiences, particularly in summer and during weekends.

Do I need to reserve tickets, and is a tasting included?

Admission is paid and advance online booking is the sensible choice for popular dates. The visit includes a tasting of wines from the Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar, while non-drinkers and younger visitors can have aromatic grape juice instead.

How long should I allow for the visit?

Allow about one to one and a half hours to follow the audio route, examine the Klipfel collection, try the aroma wheel and finish with the tasting. Wine-focused visitors can easily spend longer comparing the tools of the grower, cooper, glassmaker and cork maker.

Is the museum suitable for children and visitors who do not drink wine?

Yes. The interactive stations, label-making activity and grape-juice tasting make the subject accessible without alcohol. School groups follow an apprentice-winemaker route covering vines through the seasons, wine professions and aromas, with a diploma activity available for groups.

When planning your Colmar travel guide or browsing verified museums in Colmar, pair this stop with standout local spots including Le 1615 – Luxe et Spa, Musée du Jouet, Brasserie des Tanneurs, and Choco Story Colmar (nearby).