Scharrachbergheim Irmstett

Located between the Amberg and the Scharrachberg, in the heart of the Vosges foothills, Scharrarbergheim-Irmstett is a wine village defined by its vineyard landscape, earning it the nickname Gateway to the Vineyard. Formed in 1975 by merging the communes of Scharrarbergheim and Irmstett, this village of 1,242 inhabitants has a long history. Its name appears in the 14th century, although traces of settlement date back to the Neolithic era. The local castle, the only one still standing in the region, was destroyed in the 15th century before being rebuilt by the Dettlingen family. Sold in 2007, it now houses a hotel residence and a relais château, continuing its medieval legacy. Irmstett, meanwhile, has Celtic roots, with a path and a salt spring, the Sauerbrunnen, once a place of worship. A legend tells of a young girl miraculously saved who had a cross erected there, which became a pilgrimage site for its supposed healing powers. The village is said to be named after Queen Irmina, who founded a chapel in an oak forest, giving rise to Irmstett.