DOMAINE MARCEL DEISS 'Altenberg de Bergheim' Grand Cru White2018

Domaine Deiss produces some of the most captivating and thought-provoking wines in Alsace. Pioneering the use of field blends—where multiple grape varieties are planted, harvested, and vinified together—Deiss has shifted the regional focus from varietal wines to expressions of terroir. This philosophy, once radical in a region historically tied to single-variety bottlings, has become central to the domaine’s identity.

For many years, the portfolio included the approachable 'Alsace' blend at the entry level, followed by a range of terroir-driven wines from specific sites that Jean-Michel Deiss referred to as his “Premier Cru level.” Recently, with the expansion of the estate from 27 to 40 hectares, a new tier of ‘village-level’ wines has been introduced. These, too, follow the field blend approach and offer compelling, site-specific character.

Each of these wines is distinct and rewarding in its own right—among our personal favourites are Zellenberg at the village level and Engelgarten among the Premier Cru equivalents. As with Burgundy, the beauty lies in the diversity; rather than seeking simplification, it’s best to taste widely and discover your own preferences within the mosaic of terroirs.

Jean-Michel Deiss himself may be seen as an iconoclast, occasionally at odds with regional norms, but the quality and originality of his wines speak volumes. The domaine’s original vineyards are fully certified organic and biodynamic, while the newly acquired plots are in transition. All wines are suitable for vegetarians, though they are not officially certified as such.