The Riquewihr vineyard is the melting pot of the town's economic and cultural heritage and dynamism. The 558 acres (226 ha) AOC (controlled designation of origin) perimeter covers a major part of the vineyard. Arable lands represent a tiny portion of the agricultural area. The grasslands remain present, although decreasing significantly (- 50% in the last 25 years). The quality of the soils, very humid along the Sembach, make them unsuitable for vine growing. The expansion of Riquewihr's municipality is therefore necessarily accompanied by a reduction of its wine production.