The Family – Famille Ruhlmann-Schutz

Jean-Victor Schutz

Although he was raised in a winegrower’s family and spend his childhood in the budding business, Jean-Victor come in the banking sector as a branch manager. A full and busy career that he decides to leave following the sudden loss of Jean-Charles RUHLMANN, bringing the latter’s children and children-in-law in 1993 to devote themselves to the family business. From his past experience, he brings his expert eye for the managment, and develops the commercial part of the company, stimulating export to Belgium, Germany and Holland.

For this hard worker, it’s not a question of vocation, but of a mutual trust of the family and its members. Always looking to the future, he proudly watch the established fondation that the new generation take off, through new projects such as the new estate in the Corbières.

Marthe Ruhlmann

When she looks backward, Marthe remembers with some emotions, the humble beginning of the Ruhlmann family. At this time, Alsacians farmhouses, that traditionally harvested tobacco and cereals, started to grow the vine again. It was the first transformation for the Ruhlmann to a brighter future for wine.

That’s how Marthe became the first commercial of the family, carrying bottles and boxes on board of a Citroën 2CV, and selling door-to-door to privates. But also, all over France, thanks to her husband’s friends, met during his military service. At the same time, she learned the administrative profession on the job, and also that of host for the first guestrooms, working hard at it, night and day. An accumulation of profession that does not afraid this determined and persevering woman. She still remembers her husband’s words on their wedding “With these hands, we can work and make great things”. Today, she observes with affection the evolution of the family business, keeping to instil the good values to the family : of wine and well-done work.

Values that became a common trait of character for all the members of the Ruhlmann-Schutz family.

André Ruhlmann

The face behind the motto “Créateur de vins” (Wine’s creator). Raised from the beginning in the vines, André loves taking the time to tell about his discovers, sometimes casualty, that he made with the wine. The Etoile de Rose, the Péché de Sylvaner, the Pinot Gris, every new appellation is the product of a long refining with a unique history. And rather than using the complex lingo to impress the novices, he prefers to talk about his products through the emotions. That’s also why he chooses the word “Jardins” (gardens) from German “Weingarten”, with much poetry and closer from the land and its values.

Former trumpetist, André use the analogy of the orchestra conductor and his precise work, where he defines a great wine as the sum of small actions, from the respect of the nature and its energy to the management of the vine. We realize that when we go there for a walk, André tells us that these stones embody for him caring animals. A passionate relationship that he passes on to his children with devotion.

Antoine Schutz

Can one combine an artistic streak with a business sense? Antoine is living proof!

He studied at a Business School and then completed a Master’s in Entrepreneurship in the USA, with a stopover in Hong Kong working alongside an importer. A Parisian by choice for eight years, Antoine embraced the codes of Parisian life and was active in the events sector. A self-taught graphic designer and always eager to explore new fields, he even co-created a magazine dedicated to art and culture, Beware Magazine.

Back in his native Alsace in 2016, he took charge of the commercial development, particularly for export markets. Building on his business background, he focused on learning about wine in all its facets — viticulture, winemaking, legal subtleties, and appellations.

Over time, he expanded his team. Today, he relies on a structured and strengthened team to support the domain.

Sensitive to beauty and driven by a strategic vision shared with the quartet, he also oversees communication and marketing, setting a clear course: to present a more refined and visually clear image of the estate. The Ruhlmann-Schutz family also produces gastronomy wines, and Antoine is determined to make that known.

Antoine brims with ideas, and the energy of the quartet fuels this creative force. At the same time, he has the ability to stay the course and seize opportunities that precisely meet the estate’s growth objectives.

When the estate won the Grand Prix du Jury at the Mondial des Vins Blancs with a score of 96 points in April 2024, a door to the world of haute gastronomy opened. You can trust Antoine’s determination to ensure it doesn’t close!

And if Antoine talks to you about Merlot, he isn’t referring to an experimental vineyard plot in the context of climate change — he’s talking about his four-legged companion, a charming Corgi, who has become the estate’s mascot!

Thomas Schutz

Thomas is the eldest of the cousins, the big brother of Antoine, and something of the anchor of the family quartet.

An engineer from Arts et Métiers with a dual degree from Metz–Karlsruhe, he completed an internship in China. Thomas made his mark in industry, first as a team leader overseeing shipping and foundry operations, and later as a Lean Manager at Constellium.

In 2018, a position opened at the family estate, and Thomas adapted quickly. He managed sales administration for two years, leveraging his strengths in analysis, strategic foresight, and quality improvement. With his broad vision, he contributes valuable proposals to optimize the estate’s organization.

Officially a manager since 2021, Thomas ensures smooth communication between departments and serves as the main contact for major clients in France. From financial control to recruitment and inventory management, he applies his solid cross-functional skills in service of the Ruhlmann-Schutz family estate.

Calm and composed by nature, Thomas channels the bursts of creativity and energy from the other members of the quartet. By balancing ideas with facts and figures, he helps maintain harmony within the team — but make no mistake, he also knows how to welcome guests and celebrate in style!

In the medium term, his focus is on infrastructure and development, expanding the estate’s wine tourism and hospitality offerings. His guiding question: “How can we welcome our clients and partners even better, and offer them unforgettable experiences?”

Thomas also embodies a strong sense of roots and commitment, working not only for the long-term sustainability of the family estate but also to enhance the visibility and vitality of the village.

Louise-Anne Ruhlmann

The fairies of wine and gastronomy must have gathered around her cradle — unless it was Bacchus himself.

It was only natural that Louise-Anne chose to pursue a career in hospitality and fine dining. After earning her technical high school diploma, she continued her training in La Rochelle, completing a BTS degree before specializing in sommellerie. The stars aligned quickly, opening the doors to the world of Michelin-starred establishments.

She first joined the prestigious Les Prés d’Eugénie under Michel Guérard for a formative internship, before flying to New York to take on the role of Maître d’Hôtel at the Ruhlmann brasserie.

There is no such thing as coincidence. Back in France, strengthened by her experience in team management, she was selected by Gilles Goujon’s team to work on the opening of the Restaurant Maïence (led by a Meilleur Ouvrier de France) in Strasbourg.

In 2018, she left Alsace to follow Goujon for a season in the Corbières at L’Auberge du Vieux Puits, a three-Michelin-star establishment. She found herself just 20 minutes from Château Valmont, newly acquired by the Ruhlmann-Schutz family.

In 2019, she answered the call of an Alsatian gastronomic institution, Le Crocodile, then undergoing a major revival led by part of the Goujon team. The restaurant regained its Michelin star just six months after reopening.

Driven by a constant desire to learn and grow through new encounters, Louise-Anne set her sights on new horizons. With ambition and determination, she joined the five-star Hôtel Marinca in Corsica as Head Sommelier alongside Chef Romain Masset for two years. In March 2024, the establishment was awarded a Michelin star.

In the medium term, Louise-Anne hopes to develop the wine tourism experience in Dambach and fully express her craft as a sommelier there.

For now, she continues to follow her lucky star. In autumn 2024, she will return to her native Alsace for a new gastronomic adventure as Director of the Restaurant Le Crocodile — perhaps the final step before rejoining the family estate.

Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann

Jacques-Emile followed a traditional path of wine studies, beginning with a vocational diploma in viticulture, followed by a BTS in viticulture and oenology, and a professional bachelor’s degree. His education gave him the opportunity to travel and refine his craft across France — in Alsace, Champagne, Bordeaux, and Languedoc — as well as abroad, with a harvest season spent winemaking in California.

A worthy son of André, Jacques-Emile feels truly at home in the vineyards. “You’re better off outside — it’s a privilege. Every day, you see something different.”

Most in his element when walking, observing, and caring for his vines, Jacques-Emile is naturally reserved — though always thoughtful. He’s also a visionary. After completing his studies in Narbonne, it was his idea that led to the acquisition of Château Valmont in 2016.

If he had to choose just one grape variety, it would undoubtedly be Pinot Noir. His explanation is characteristically practical: “It’s the Swiss Army knife of grapes — you can make white from black!” A clever remark, highlighting the many winemaking possibilities offered by this versatile “multi-layered” grape.

When it comes to new terroirs, South Africa particularly intrigues him. Iconic Alsatian varieties such as Pinot Gris and Riesling thrive there — and, as he pragmatically notes, “there’s no jet lag!”

Practicality is essential when managing a technical team of ten people, working across two vineyards — seven in Dambach-la-Ville and three in Languedoc — alternating every two weeks between the sites. Jacques-Emile handles this challenge with dedication and focus.

To balance his more solitary nature, Jacques-Emile has another passion: hunting. Though rarely alone, as he never misses the chance to bring along his two loyal companions, Muscat and Tanin — two magnificent Braques — on his Alsatian and Languedoc adventures.