Vintners in Riquewihr from father to son since 1639 The name “HUGEL” is documented in Alsace in the 15th century. About two centuries later (1637), a Hans Ulrich HUGEL settled in Riquewihr, which was ravaged by the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War. In 1639 he was granted citizenship and soon became the chairman of the influential guild of vintners. His son of the same name had a stately house built on Seilergasse in 1672 and his initials H.U.H. and carve the family coat of arms into the lintel: a “three mountain” that symbolizes three hills. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the successive Hugels became known as capable and honest winegrowers, especially for the good care of their vineyards. In 1902 Frédéric Emile HUGEL (1869-1950) left the old family estate to move to the center of Riquewihr, where the heart of the family business still beats today.