Lissner

Spanning ten hectares surrounding the historical village of Wolxheim, thirty mintues west of Strasbourg, the Lissner domaine consists of numerous plots situated on six distinctive terroirs. Ascending to the area’s highest elevations and overlook point, the vines are located on a unique fault zone composed of limestone and sandstone, with many parcels surrounded by forest. Founded in 1848 by Clément Lissner, the domaine was taken over by his nephew, agronomist and activist Bruno Schloegel, in 2001. His middle son, Théo, joined soon after, following the completion of a degree in biodiversity from the university in Strasbourg. Self-proclaimed “wild, free and alive,” an unparalleled precedence is given to the thriving of native flora and fauna and support of the inherent biodiversity in the vineyard, forming the basis of their iconic hands-off approach. The soil is never ploughed or otherwise worked, no composts are used, and vines are woven, rather than trimmed, promoting the natural equilibrium of the plants and wildlife and thus the quality and native resilience of the vines. Along with the trees, grass and wildflowers, the vineyards are a haven for deer, birds and insects.

Grapes are harvested at peak maturity, often at the point of over-ripeness, allowing for the ultimate expression of each unique terroir and millésime, and balance of sugar, acidity, minerality, and aromas. Bunches are meticulously selected during harvest and again verified before slow (8-10 hour) pneumatic pressing. Everything in the cellar is done by gravity, and the juices are left to long elevations on lees in traditional Alsatian foudres (and the occasional stainless steel) without any intervention apart from the rare addition of sulfur during fermentation—never at bottling.

The domaine’s long-term approach and return to pre-conventional farming practices varies tremendously from the predominant methods of the region and has been widely advocated for by Bruno and Théo. All cuvées are classified as Appellation Alsace Contrôlée/Appellation Alsace Grand Cru Protégée. (image source: Funk de Funk)