Grasberg Hill

The Grasberg, nicknamed the "herb hill," rises on the limestone foothills between Rorschwihr and Bergheim.

This hill, marking the northern end of the pre-Vosges hills of Haut-Rhin, covers 12 hectares of grasslands with exceptional natural richness. Its Mediterranean microclimate supports a unique flora and fauna, blending rare plants and specific animal species.

Notably, it features orchids, fraxinelles, and amellus asters, symbols of the site, along with diverse fauna: green lizards, sand lizards, wall lizards, sometimes endemic spiders, butterflies, birds such as the woodchat shrike, rabbits, and praying mantises.

Grasberg is a true biogeographical crossroads, hosting both Mediterranean plants and continental species from Russia.

These natural areas, classified as Natura 2000, are preserved within the vineyards thanks to careful maintenance by the Conservatory of Alsatian Sites. They organize a triennial mowing of the plots, supplemented by annual winter mowing carried out by volunteers from Bergheim and Rorschwihr, to keep the area open and favorable to biodiversity.

The upkeep of stone piles, refuges for small reptiles, also helps protect this fragile ecosystem.