Located in the single-street village of Niedermorschwihr, Domaine Albert Boxler has become, under the stewardship of Jean Boxler, one of Alsace’s greatest domains. The village’s Grand Cru is the granite amphitheatre of Sommerberg, one of the steepest in the region.

Boxler’s ferociously attentive viticulture and limpid winemaking anatomises his 4-ha Sommerberg holding into different sub-zone cuvées, each of shocking intensity: E for Eckberg (highest, coolest, stoniest), D for Dudenstein (granite and limestone, with more clay: more tender and giving), V for the old-vine Vanne and JV for a young-vine cuvée. The approach is the same with his 1.9 holding in Brand – and look out for his Pinot Blanc B, made from 55-year-old vines in the Grand Cru: as sculpted and dramatic as the rest of the range.

This shy, taciturn grower has set new standards of purity, intensity and site expression in Alsace.

Located in Wettolsheim, Domaine Albert Mann is renowned for its biodynamic practices and vivacious, often luscious wines. It’s also one of the new regional leaders in the production of compelling Pinot Noir wines fostered by climate change. The estate was built by brothers Maurice and Jacky Barthelmé (Maurice being Albert Mann’s son-in-law) and is now run by Jacky’s son Antoine, working with his ever-exuberant father.

Albert Mann's diverse terroirs are reflected in its wines. The Hengst and Furstentum Grand Cru vineyards, with their limestone and marl soils, produce powerful, structured wines, while the granitic Schlossberg and Wineck-Schlossberg delivers finesse and mineral purity.

Among the Pinot Noirs, the Clos de la Faille is distinguished by its depth and intensity from a single, enclosed vineyard. The Grand H, sourced from Hengst, is recognized for its structure and aging potential. Les Saintes Claires offers elegance and aromatic complexity, while the Grand P, originating from the Grand Cru Pfersigberg, is acclaimed for its rich, layered profile and exceptional aging capacity.

Antoine has taken up the mantle from his father, Marc, continuing the legacy of his predecessors while forging his own path. He remains dedicated to crafting wines with a singular expression—wines that truly reflect the place they come from, free from dogma or constraints. Some cuvées are aged on lees for up to three years, resulting in vibrant, textured wines. They may not appeal to everyone, but they certainly leave no one indifferent!

Domaine Marcel Deiss is nestled in Bergheim, at the foot of the warm, south-facing, marl-soiled Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru. Jean-Michel Deiss, known for extraordinary articulacy and sophisticated theoretical thinking, has been gradually passing the baton to his son, the more pragmatic craftsman Mathieu Deiss; the two have created one of the most influential domains not just in Alsace, but in France as a whole.

A committed though non-doctrinaire advocate of biodynamic farming, Jean-Michel Deiss quickly diverged from the Alsatian tradition of producing single-variety wines. Instead, he pioneered the co-planting (complantation) of multiple grape varieties within each vineyard, which are then harvested and vinified together – and spearheaded changes in legislation which made such wines possible at the Grand Cru level. The result? A range of wines that owe their character to vineyard provenance alone, sold without varietal names. Additionally, Deiss is a vocal proponent of ‘geo-sensorial tasting’ — a method that emphasizes mouthfeel and texture as the key to appreciating the essence of terroir-driven wines.

Through his relentless advocacy and persuasive force, Deiss has pushed the boundaries of winemaking in the region. The family’s wines now include four Grands Crus and five village or lieu-dit wines, each an essay in terroir expression.

Website:	https://www.marceldeiss.com/en/
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Year found:	1947
Surface area in hectare:	60
Visit type:	Upon request

Just outside Kaysersberg on the road to Kientzheim, and sitting at the foot of the majestic Schlossberg, is the Clos des Capucins, a walled vineyard of C16 monastic origin. Through this vineyard the ‘wine stream’ or weinbach runs, and the Weinbach domain, owned by the Faller family since 1898, is based in the large grange in the middle of the Clos.

Its 38 ha of biodynamically cultivated vineyards, divided up into 200 different parcels, are all found within a two-mile radius of the grange, and include four Grands Crus (Schlossberg as well as Mambourg, Furstentum and Marckrain) as well as the lieu-dit of Altenbourg, considered by many as being of Grand Cru equivalent.

Matriarch Catherine Faller runs the domain with her two sons, Eddy and Théo Faller. The range is divided into straightforward varietal wines and then an upper tier of wines labelled by vineyard origin or under special Cuvée names for multi-site or sub-site selections; Weinbach has, too, one of the finest ranges of sweet wines in the region, though Eddy Faller says that climate change is making these increasingly hard to produce (once every three or four vintages at present, and in future perhaps only once every decade).

The family characterises its wines as “respectful and epicurean”. In the past, they were often sumptuous and lushly rich, but under the present generation the style is moving towards a new density and purity. Experiments, too, are underway – with orange wines, for example, as well as with new blends and with ‘Vin de France’ plantings of Syrah and Grenache.

Website:	https://www.domaineweinbach.com/en
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Domaine Zind Humbrecht is a wine estate which has been hugely influential not just in Alsace, but in France and beyond. This is thanks to the intelligence, vision and courageous experimental spirit of Olivier Humbrecht MW (France’s first-ever Master of Wine), building on the significant viticultural legacy of his father, Léonard Humbrecht.

The pair have recovered, renovated and painstakingly assembled a 40-ha estate which includes some of Alsace’s greatest sites. A careful combination of scientific observation and practical, outcomes-based biodynamics in the vineyard is complemented by radical restraint in the cellar; the result is a large range of wines of almost unmatched expressive force. Granite (Brand and Sommerberg), limestone (Clos Windsbuhl and Goldert), marl (Clos Hauserer), and volcanic soils (Rangen de Thann) all feature.

Since the super-low yields originally practiced by Olivier tended to result in rich wines which were not always easy to match at table, in recent years the domain has upped yields and brought forward harvest dates in order to produce dry wines above all, though without any loss of impact or intensity. Pierre-Emile Humbrecht is now working with his father in both the vineyards and the cellar of this Turckheim-based domain.

Website:	https://www.zindhumbrecht.fr/en/
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Year found:	1959
Surface area in hectare:	42
Visit type:	Upon request

Born from the union of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Cadé, this estate was founded in 2000. As passionate biodynamic practitioners, they farm four Grand Cru vineyards, each with its own distinct personality. Their talent lies in translating these differences into the bottle, capturing the identity of each terroir with remarkable finesse.

Driven by a thirst for independence and a desire to craft wines in his own style, Vincent Sipp left his family’s domain (Sipp-Mack) twenty years ago to settle in the medieval village of Riquewihr. His precise winemaking has quickly earned him a place among the finest vignerons of the village, particularly for his Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling, a wine of striking purity.

After the tragic passing of François Barmès, his children Maxime and Sophie have honored his legacy in the best way possible. In just over fifteen years, they have propelled the estate into the Alsace elite, particularly through their Pinot Noirs, including the Grand Cru Hengst—one of the three terroirs that, since the 2022 vintage, officially carries the Grand Cru designation for this ever-improving grape.

The wines of Jean-Christophe Bott resemble him: broad-shouldered, rich and generous. Mostly coming from the rich, sedimentary terroirs around Beblenheim such as the Mandelberg Grand Cru, they always display the perfect balance between acidity and salinity to ensure a signature balance and vibrancy.

Taking the reins in 1998, Frédéric farms Grand Cru Pfingstberg and the Bollenberg lieu-dit—one of the driest areas in France, receiving just 450mm of rain annually! His wines stay true to their terroirs, offering outstanding value.

Today, it is Frédéric Mochel and his family who safeguard the legacy of their estate, upholding a philosophy where love for the vine and respect for terroir shape every decision, from vineyard work to bottling.

Daughters of the legendary Jean Meyer, Céline and Isabelle have taken up their father’s mantle, crafting elegant and gastronomic wines from over 90 parcels, including the marly-limestone Grand Cru Hengst and the granite Grand Cru Brand. They remain committed to expressing the unique character of each vintage, preserving the purity of their raw materials, and instilling their wines with the soul of their terroirs.

For five generations, the Kientzler estate has been passed down from father to son, perpetuating a love for dry, gastronomic wines. The domaine has long stood among Alsace’s most esteemed names, particularly for its Grand Cru Geisberg, a rare calcareous-sandstone terroir farmed by only four producers. Their great white wines can seem austere in youth, but patience rewards those who wait, revealing depth and terroir expression with time.

Founded in 2015 by Marc Rinaldi, this domaine was born from a meeting of minds with Jean Schaetzel, united by a shared passion for Alsace’s finest terroirs—especially the Grand Crus Schlossberg (granite) and Brand (granite). Their wines reach new heights, particularly the Pinot Noirs, which rank among the finest in the region.

A discreet and humble vigneron, Laurent farms just four hectares. His domaine is one of those whispered secrets among enlightened enthusiasts. If heavy, syrupy Gewurztraminers aren’t your thing, A discreet and humble vigneron, Laurent farms just four hectares. His domaine is one of those whispered secrets among enlightened enthusiasts. If you think Gewurztraminers aren’t your thing because they're heavy and syrupy, his fine and delicate versions will change your mind! His Pinot Noirs are also among the very best of the appellation.

Now under the direction of Félix Meyer, this estate has built an enviable reputation over time. With 18 hectares of vines, including five Grand Crus, the wines are marked by purity and precision. Special mention goes to the Gewurztraminers and Pinot Gris, which stand out for their rare elegance.

Today, Arthur, son of André, leads this renowned estate in Epfig. His father tirelessly sought out the region’s finest terroirs, distinguishing the domaine with its Burgundian-inspired élevage. Now, it falls to Arthur to write the next chapter—a transition between generations is never easy, but we have no doubt that his personal touch will soon bring the domaine back to the very top of Alsace’s wine scene!

Brothers Philippe and Frédéric continue the legacy of their grandfather Marcel Blanck, a key figure in Alsace who helped establish the region’s first Grand Cru, Schlossberg, in 1975. They uphold this rich tradition, crafting wines of exceptional class across their numerous terroirs.

By the time most growers are finishing up with their harvest, Pierre Gassmann is usually just getting started picking his crop, grown on mainly limestone terroirs. Expect profound, rich wines with significant residual sugar in most bottlings. His wines are genuinely interesting and pleasingly atypical, as is his extensive library of back vintages available from the Domaine.

The Trapet name needs no introduction—an iconic family in Gevrey-Chambertin. In 2002, Andrée Trapet, wife of Jean-Louis, took over her family’s Alsace vineyards. Over the past two decades, the estate has grown, acquiring prime terroirs around Beblenheim. The resulting wines are deep, dense, and imbued with the family’s unmistakable savoir-faire.

Jean-Paul and Marie Zusslin, brother and sister, have carried on their family’s winemaking tradition in Orschwihr that dates back to 1691. Their commitment extends beyond the vines, embracing agroforestry and biodiversity projects, including the introduction of beehives and nesting boxes in the vineyards. This deep respect for nature has helped propel their estate among the finest in the region.

The only estate in Alsace to produce excusively Crémant... A daring gamble, but a winning one. The domaine produces Crémants with long ageing periods of up to 100 months. The resulting wines show extraordinary length on the palate and a finesse of bubbles that rivals the finest of Champagne, especially their exceptional cuvée “Insomnia”.

A Japanese vigneron in Alsace—now that’s something unusual! After training in New Zealand and Burgundy, Jintaro came to Alsace, learning from legends like Jean Boxler, André Ostertag, and Valentin Zusslin. He now cultivates just two hectares at Vincent Gross’ estate, treating them like a garden. Though still in the early stages, his wines have already captivated enthusiasts, and the future looks bright!

After completing her studies in agronomy and oenology, Mélanie Pfister took over her family’s estate in 2008, continuing a winemaking tradition that dates back to 1780. Located in Dahlenheim, near Strasbourg, the domaine embodies the dynamic new wave of winemakers in Bas-Rhin, a region that has increasingly captured the spotlight in recent years. “Customers are looking for dry wines, a specialty of this area,” Mélanie explains. Her wines radiate energy and precision, reflecting their terroirs with remarkable clarity—thanks to meticulous vineyard work that eliminates the need for intervention during vinification.

This discreet yet highly skilled domaine is currently managed by the talented Philippe Kubler. He cultivates 10 hectares of vines with a gardener’s touch, including an exceptional parcel on the Grand Cru Zinnkoepflé, Alsace’s highest vineyard. His masterful work has restored Sylvaner to its former glory on this limestone-sandstone terroir. A must-try for anyone looking to rediscover this often-overlooked grape variety!

Mathieu Deiss, son of renowned winemaker Jean-Michel Deiss, inherited 7 hectares of vineyards in Bennwihr from his uncle. Following in his family's footsteps, he embraces co-plantation, a hallmark of Domaine Deiss. Rather than highlighting a single grape variety, he focuses on texture, depth, and minerality, crafting wines that challenge Alsatian conventions. His distinctive approach has already positioned him as a leading name in the world of natural wines.

In the medieval town of Riquewihr, this historic estate offers a well-curated range, including an impressive selection of crémants. Pioneers in the region, they played a key role in the creation of the “Crémant d'Alsace” appellation. Standouts include their Crémant Soléra and an exquisite Riesling from the Grand Cru Schoenenbourg.

Trimbach is (with Hugel) one of the two great merchant houses of Alsace. The Trimbach family of Swiss silver miners arrived in the region earlier than the Hugels, and began winemaking in 1626 in Riquewihr. The company has been headquartered in Ribeauvillé since 1920, and the thirteenth generation is taking over the reins at present.

Trimbach remains a staunch defender of the dry style of Alsace wine-making, though its former fierce opposition to the Grand Cru system in Alsace has dissipated, and a ‘Grand Cru Collection’ of Riesling wines now caps its range. This is led by Clos Ste Hune (from 1.67 ha within the Grand Cru of Rosacker), first released in 1919, and Alsace’s most sought-after single-site wine at auction. Cuvée Frédéric Emile isn’t labelled as a Grand Cru since it's made from a blend of fruit from two different sites, Geisberg and Osterberg; and there are now individual Grand Cru Riesling wines from Mandelberg, Schlossberg and Geisberg.

The rest of the range is stratified into Réserve Personelle (Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and – in 2016 – Riesling from the finest sites and vintages only), Réserve (a full range of Alsace varietals from fine sites, with those sites increasingly acknowledged in Trimbach publicity materials and on labels) and Classic (for pristine varietal Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer).

Sweet wines -- from suitable vintages only -- are sold as a separate range. Trimbach has a larger estate than Hugel (61 ha of its own vineyards, principally in Ribeauvillé, Bergheim and Hunawihr) and buys fruit from around 35 growers.

While outstanding growers bask in today’s media limelight, the global fame of France’s leading wine regions has historically been built by significant merchant families – such as the Hugel family in Alsace. Arriving in Riquewihr in 1639, in the middle of the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War, 12 successive generations have built the company into a significant global presence, exporting to over 100 markets.

Most of its fruit is purchased, with 110 ha under contract, but its own 30-ha estate is increasingly important for prestige wines such as those in the Grossi Laüe range (the phrase means ‘great growth’ in Alsace dialect) and from the Schoelhammer Riesling site within the Grand Cru of Schoenenbourg, towering over Riquewihr. The rest of the range is stratified into Jubilee (from the finest vineyards and vintages only), Tradition (top-tier Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat), Estate (for Riquewihr-sourced wines from Hugel’s own vineyards) and Classic (limpid varietals based on purchased fruit).

Sweet wines, a Hugel speciality, are sold as a separate range. Hugel’s Gentil (a subtle blend of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner) has been a huge success: a tender but intriguing introduction to the region for the Alsace newcomer.

Founded in 1895, this is the oldest cooperative winery in France. Despite its long history, it remains a human-scale enterprise, dedicated since the 1990s to careful parcel selection to preserve grape quality and terroir identity. This commitment allows them to produce over 70 distinct cuvées each year, each with its own unique character.