Domaine Stoeffler

The Domaine Stoeffler in a few words...

The Domaine Vincent Stoeffler is today one of the major references for organically-produced Alsace wines. Located in Barr, in the heart of the Alsace wine region, it perfectly illustrates the ability of this historic vineyard to produce wines of great purity, capable of expressing all the diversity of their terroirs. If Alsace is a mosaic of soils and climates that give rise to an exceptional palette of grape varieties and styles, Domaine Vincent Stoeffler has made its mark with a clear vision: precise, authentic wines made from grapes grown with the greatest respect for nature and vinified with the minimum of intervention. The story of this estate is above all that of a family rooted in its terroir, committed to preserving tradition while innovating to better enhance Alsace's winegrowing heritage.

The estate covers around 16 hectares of vines, including several parcels classified as Grands Crus and prestigious lieux-dits. This diversity of terroirs enables us to work all the traditional grape varieties of Alsace: riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, pinot blanc, muscat, sylvaner and pinot noir. Each of these grape varieties finds its own particular expression on the estate, depending on the nature of the soil and the exposure of the vines. This richness is at the heart of Domaine Vincent Stoeffler's philosophy, which aims to reveal the uniqueness of each terroir rather than produce uniform wines. This is what makes its range so charming and interesting: a range of cuvées from wines for immediate pleasure to great bottles for laying down, while always remaining readable and sincere.

The history of the estate goes back several generations, but it took a decisive turn with Vincent Stoeffler himself. After studying viticulture and oenology, he took over the family business in the 1980s and quickly embarked on a conversion to environmentally-friendly practices. He soon realized that the future of the vine and the quality of the wines depended on soil preservation and viticulture that did not rely on synthetic chemicals. The work he has undertaken has resulted in organic certification, but above all in a consistent approach to vineyard management and winemaking. Today, Domaine Vincent Stoeffler is recognized for this high standard, which enables it to produce wines that are intense, elegant and true to their origins.

The terroir is undoubtedly the most fascinating element of the estate. Located between Mittelbergheim, Barr and the surrounding area, the vines rest on a wide variety of soils: limestone, marl, sandstone, clay and granite. This exceptional geological diversity enables the grape varieties to reveal very different expressions, which the estate strives to respect and enhance. Grands Crus such as Kirchberg de Barr and Altenberg de Bergbieten occupy a central place in the range. The Kirchberg de Barr, with its limestone and marl-limestone soils, is particularly well-suited to Riesling and Pinot Gris, which develop great minerality and refined structure. The Altenberg de Bergbieten, with its gypsum marl, produces full-bodied, generous wines of great aromatic complexity. In parallel, lieux-dits such as Fruehmess or Silberberg enable us to offer high-precision cuvées, where every detail of the terroir is reflected in the glass.

Viticulture at Domaine Vincent Stoeffler is based on clear principles. The vines are farmed organically, which implies the total abandonment of herbicides and synthetic chemicals. The soil is worked by shallow ploughing and natural grassing, to encourage biodiversity and preserve the biological balance of the plots. The vines are cared for using limited, respectful treatments based on copper and sulfur, and natural preparations are used to reinforce the vitality of the vines. This approach is part of a long-term vision: the aim is not only to produce healthy, concentrated grapes, but also to preserve the soil for future generations. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand, with a rigorous selection of bunches, allowing only perfectly ripe grapes in excellent health to be picked.

In the cellar, the philosophy is one of accompaniment rather than transformation. Fermentations take place spontaneously, with the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins, in order to preserve the typicity of each terroir. The wines are neither chaptalized nor heavily corrected: the idea is to let the fruit, soil and vintage express themselves. The wines are aged mainly in stainless steel vats and large wooden foudres, which respect the freshness and vivacity of Alsace grape varieties, while adding a slight roundness and complexity. The wines are aged long enough to achieve balance, but without excessive woodiness or manipulation. This approach enables Domaine Vincent Stoeffler to offer cuvées that are both readable and profound, appealing to both amateurs and demanding connoisseurs.

The estate's range is broad and representative of Alsace's diversity. Rieslings occupy an important place, with several parcel-based cuvées and Grands Crus. The Riesling Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru is a taut, straightforward wine that magnificently expresses the minerality of the limestone and the finesse of the grape variety. It offers notes of citrus, white flowers and a long finish, capable of ageing for many years. The Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru is distinguished by its richness and aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe fruit, spices and a full structure, underpinned by fine acidity. These two complementary expressions show the extent of Riesling's potential at Domaine Vincent Stoeffler.

The Pinot Gris Fruehmess is another emblematic cuvée, revealing the grape's generosity on well-exposed limestone soils. It's a full-bodied wine, with aromas of yellow fruit, honey and light smoky notes, underpinned by lovely mineral tension. The Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr goes even further, with remarkable depth and complexity, making it a gastronomic wine par excellence. The estate's Gewurztraminers are also renowned for their balance. The Gewurztraminer Silberberg seduces with its aromas of lychee, rose and sweet spices, with a mouth that's greedy but never heavy. Gewurztraminer Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru represents the noblest expression of this grape variety: a full-bodied, opulent wine, yet with great precision, which can accompany spicy dishes or powerful cheeses.

Pinot Noir has been gaining increasing recognition in Alsace in recent years, and Domaine Vincent Stoeffler is among those showing the grape's potential on these terroirs. With carefully selected plots, he offers elegant Pinot Noirs, both fruity and structured, capable of rivaling Burgundian expressions. These wines reveal aromas of cherry, red berries and sometimes spicy notes, with fine tannins and good length. Alongside these prestigious cuvées, the domaine also produces more accessible wines, such as pinot blanc and sylvaners, distinguished by their freshness and digestibility. These wines for immediate pleasure complete the range and offer an ideal gateway into the world of Domaine Vincent Stoeffler.

Another important aspect of the estate's work concerns sweet and syrupy wines, true Alsace specialties. Depending on weather conditions, the Domaine Vincent Stoeffler produces late harvests and selections de grains nobles, mainly from riesling, pinot gris and gewurztraminer. These exceptional wines are marked by impressive aromatic concentration and sugar content, balanced by acidity that gives them remarkable freshness. They develop aromas of candied fruit, honey and spices, and a complexity that grows with age. These rare cuvées testify to the estate's expertise and ability to express all the facets of the Alsatian vineyard.

Guide des meilleurs vins de France 2020 on Domaine Stoeffler: "Vincent Stoeffler is one of a handful of resilient winegrowers in Barr, squeezed between the trading houses and the cooperative cellars. In addition to his family's vineyards in this prestigious area of the Bas-Rhin, he also has a hillside vineyard in the Haut-Rhin, around Ribeauvillé. Today, the vineyard is carefully cultivated, certified organic with many biodynamic precepts and a few sulfur-free cuvées. The range lacks homogeneity, and the domaine is falling behind other starred estates."

Discover other great Alsace organic wines with the domaines Marcel Deiss, Paul Ginglinger and Etienne Loew and the domaine Trapet.