Albert Boxler
The small family domaine in France that works traditionally using techniques and savoir faire passed down across multiple generations is under serious threat today. Consolidation, technology, regulation, foreign investment, globalization, and many other factors (all in the name of progress), threaten the great agricultural tradition of winegrowing in France, arguably the world’s greatest winegrowing culture. Few domaines in France embody this way of life more ably and proudly than Domaine Albert Boxler in Niedermorschwihr. Jean Boxler, many generations removed from his ancestor of the same name that moved here from Switzerland in 1673, currently rules the roost at this humble yet incredibly exciting domaine. Intense and serious about his land, his craft, and his wine, Jean is the genius behind what are certainly some of the finest white wines in Alsace (and the world).
World War II brought Jean’s grandfather Albert back to Niedermorschwihr from Montana, where he was busy enjoying the natural gifts of big sky country. After the war Albert returned to the family domaine in time to harvest the 1946 crop. He became the first generation to bottle the family’s production himself and commercialize it under a family label. The wine still wears a label drawn by his cousin in 1946. Albert’s son Jean-Marc continued the tradition for several decades until passing the baton to his son Jean in 1996.
The family’s holdings are centered around the ancient village of Niedermorschwihr in the Haut-Rhin, dominated by the imposing granite hillside grand cru, Sommerberg. Jean vinifies micro-parcels within this cru separately, de-classifying some into his Réserve wines and producing multiple bottlings of Sommerberg from the different lieux-dits depending on the vintage. Sommerberg gives racy, intensely structured, very long-lived wines. Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc are the specialties of the domaine, while Boxler also produces one of Alsace’s best Crémants (and Edelzwickers), an incredible Gewurztraminer grown in limestone, and some of the most hauntingly pure Vendanges Tardives and SGNs in all of Alsace. If that weren’t enough, the Boxlers also own land in the powerful grand cru Brand, the ultimate counterpart to their holdings in Sommerberg.
The Sommerberg hillside terminates in Jean’s driveway, making it easy to basically live in the vineyards, ensuring exceptionally healthy fruit year after year. After harvest, the wines are vinified and aged in old foudres in a small cellar underneath the family home until bottling. Not much has changed over the centuries; not much has needed to. Tasting through the entire range of Boxler’s wines is ample proof of the fact that Alsace, along with Burgundy, is the source of the world’s most complex, exciting white wines, and will probably always be.

World War II brought Jean’s grandfather Albert back to Niedermorschwihr from Montana, where he was busy enjoying the natural gifts of big sky country. After the war Albert returned to the family domaine in time to harvest the 1946 crop. He became the first generation to bottle the family’s production himself and commercialize it under a family label. The wine still wears a label drawn by his cousin in 1946. Albert’s son Jean-Marc continued the tradition for several decades until passing the baton to his son Jean in 1996.
The family’s holdings are centered around the ancient village of Niedermorschwihr in the Haut-Rhin, dominated by the imposing granite hillside grand cru, Sommerberg. Jean vinifies micro-parcels within this cru separately, de-classifying some into his Réserve wines and producing multiple bottlings of Sommerberg from the different lieux-dits depending on the vintage. Sommerberg gives racy, intensely structured, very long-lived wines. Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc are the specialties of the domaine, while Boxler also produces one of Alsace’s best Crémants (and Edelzwickers), an incredible Gewurztraminer grown in limestone, and some of the most hauntingly pure Vendanges Tardives and SGNs in all of Alsace. If that weren’t enough, the Boxlers also own land in the powerful grand cru Brand, the ultimate counterpart to their holdings in Sommerberg.
The Sommerberg hillside terminates in Jean’s driveway, making it easy to basically live in the vineyards, ensuring exceptionally healthy fruit year after year. After harvest, the wines are vinified and aged in old foudres in a small cellar underneath the family home until bottling. Not much has changed over the centuries; not much has needed to. Tasting through the entire range of Boxler’s wines is ample proof of the fact that Alsace, along with Burgundy, is the source of the world’s most complex, exciting white wines, and will probably always be.
Technical Information
Wine | Blend | Vine Age | Soil Type | Vineyard Area* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chasselas |
Chasselas | 45 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Sylvaner |
Sylvaner | 50 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Edelzwicker Réserve |
Varies by vintage, see below | N/A | Granite, Alluvial | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Eckberg” |
Pinot Gris | N/A | Limestone, granite, alluvial | 13.8 ha total |
Muscat |
Muscat d’Alsace | 40 years | Limestone | 13.8 ha total |
Muscat Grand Cru Brand Muscat |
50% Muscat Ottonel, 50% Muscat d'Alsace | Planted in 1964 | Granite | 13.8 ha total |
Riesling |
Riesling | 8 – 50 years | Granite, Limestone | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Réserve |
Riesling | 15 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Vieilles Vignes |
Riesling | Planted in 1957 | Granite | .23 ha |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg |
Riesling | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein” |
Riesling | 65 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Eckberg” |
Riesling | 35 – 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Scheibenberg” |
Riesling | 20 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Vanne” |
Riesling | Planted in 1953 | Granite | .70 ha |
Riesling Grand Cru Brand |
Riesling | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg” |
Riesling | 67 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Blanc |
Pinot Blanc | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Blanc Réserve |
Pinot Blanc | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris |
Pinot Gris | 30 years | Granite, Limestone | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Réserve |
Pinot Gris | 15 – 65 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg |
Pinot Gris | 14 – 25 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal” |
Pinot Gris | 14 – 25 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Brand |
Pinot Gris | 22 – 45 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris “Heimbourg” |
Pinot Gris | Planted in 1976 | Limestone | N/A |
Gewurztraminer |
Gewurztraminer | 10 – 65 years | Granite, Limestone, Alluvial | 13.8 ha in total |
Gewurztraminer Réserve |
Gewurztraminer | 40 – 67 years | Limestone | 13.8 ha in total |
Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Brand |
Gewurztraminer | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Noir |
Pinot Noir | N/A | Granite | 13.8 ha total |
Pinot Noir “S” |
Pinot Noir | 50 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Crémant d’Alsace |
30% Pinot Blanc, 50% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Noir | 8 – 40 years | Alluvial | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg VT** |
Riesling | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg SGN** |
Riesling | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg VT** |
Pinot Gris | 14 – 25 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg SGN** |
Pinot Gris | 14 – 25 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
Gewurztraminer “Boland” VT |
Gewurztraminer | 40 years | Granite | 13.8 ha in total |
* "ha" = hectares; one hectare equals roughly two and a half acres |
VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION
**In some years, Riesling and Pinot Gris Sommerberg Vendanges Tardives and Sélection de Grains Nobles bottlings are produced from specific parcels
All White Wines:
• All grapes are harvested by hand
• No fining
• After pressing, cold settling before fermentation begins
• All fermentation is natural
• All wines vinified in foudre except Gewurztraminers, Vendanges Tardives, and Sélection de Grains Nobles which are vinified in stainless steel
Edelzwicker Réserve:
• Blend changes each year
• 2015: Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Riesling
• 2016: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Sylvaner
• 2017: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
• 2018: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Muscat, Riesling
• 2019: Sylvaner, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Riesling
• 2020: Riesling (young vine Sommerberg), Pinot Gris (Brand), Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner
• 2021: 45% Sylvaner, 30% Gewurz, 15% Riesling Sommerberg, 10% Muscat Brand
Muscat:
• Sourced from the lieu-dit Boland, South-southeast exposure
Riesling:
• A blend of young vines from grand cru Sommerberg (granite terroir) and Pfoeller (limestone terroir)
Riesling Réserve:
• Young vine grand cru (both Sommerberg and Brand depending on vintage)
Riesling Vieilles Vignes:
• Made from a .23 ha declassified parcel of Grand Cru Sommerberg “Mittelberg”
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein”: 1.2 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Eckberg”: .80 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Scheibenberg”: .36 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg”: .28 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Vanne”: .70 ha
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”: .80 ha
• Not all grand cru bottlings are produced every year
Pinot Gris Réserve:
• Young vine grand cru (both Sommerberg and Brand depending on vintage)
Pinot Blanc Réserve:
• From grand cru Brand
Gewurztraminer Réserve:
• A blend from Heimbourg and Pfoeller (limestone terroir)
Pinot Noir “S”:
• 6 to 7 barrels made each year
• Maceration lasts 15 days
• Racked into barrel by gravity
• Aged for 18 months in used Burgundian barrels
• Grapes come from grand cru Sommerberg
Crémant d’Alsace:
• Racked into tank by gravity
• Dosage (extra brut): approximately 3 grams/liter
• Bottles aged sur lattes for minimum 24 - 30 months
• Bottles rotated by hand
• 2012 Disgorgement: July 2015
All White Wines:
• All grapes are harvested by hand
• No fining
• After pressing, cold settling before fermentation begins
• All fermentation is natural
• All wines vinified in foudre except Gewurztraminers, Vendanges Tardives, and Sélection de Grains Nobles which are vinified in stainless steel
Edelzwicker Réserve:
• Blend changes each year
• 2015: Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Riesling
• 2016: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Sylvaner
• 2017: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
• 2018: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Muscat, Riesling
• 2019: Sylvaner, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Riesling
• 2020: Riesling (young vine Sommerberg), Pinot Gris (Brand), Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner
• 2021: 45% Sylvaner, 30% Gewurz, 15% Riesling Sommerberg, 10% Muscat Brand
Muscat:
• Sourced from the lieu-dit Boland, South-southeast exposure
Riesling:
• A blend of young vines from grand cru Sommerberg (granite terroir) and Pfoeller (limestone terroir)
Riesling Réserve:
• Young vine grand cru (both Sommerberg and Brand depending on vintage)
Riesling Vieilles Vignes:
• Made from a .23 ha declassified parcel of Grand Cru Sommerberg “Mittelberg”
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein”: 1.2 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Eckberg”: .80 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Scheibenberg”: .36 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg”: .28 ha
Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Vanne”: .70 ha
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”: .80 ha
• Not all grand cru bottlings are produced every year
Pinot Gris Réserve:
• Young vine grand cru (both Sommerberg and Brand depending on vintage)
Pinot Blanc Réserve:
• From grand cru Brand
Gewurztraminer Réserve:
• A blend from Heimbourg and Pfoeller (limestone terroir)
Pinot Noir “S”:
• 6 to 7 barrels made each year
• Maceration lasts 15 days
• Racked into barrel by gravity
• Aged for 18 months in used Burgundian barrels
• Grapes come from grand cru Sommerberg
Crémant d’Alsace:
• Racked into tank by gravity
• Dosage (extra brut): approximately 3 grams/liter
• Bottles aged sur lattes for minimum 24 - 30 months
• Bottles rotated by hand
• 2012 Disgorgement: July 2015
MISCELLANEA
AOC Alsace Explained
AOC Alsace wines are generally varietal wines. The wines in which the grape variety appears on the label are 100% the stated variety.
The permitted grapes are the four noble grapes: Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, completed with Auxerrois (also known as Klevner), Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Savagnin rosé, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir.
When no grape variety indicated on the label, the wine is typically a blend.
Depending on which varieties are used in the blend, the producer can label the wine as AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace “Edelzwicker,” or AOC Alsace “Gentil d’Alsace.”
AOC Alsace blends and “Edelzwicker” can be a blend of any grapes allowed within the AOC. There is no grape minimum; the different varieties may be vinified together or separately. The mention of vintage is optional. There is no technical difference between the composition of AOC Alsace blends and “Edelzwicker”—it is at the producer’s discretion as to how they would like to label their wine.
The denomination “Gentil d’Alsace” is reserved for AOC Alsace wines that fit within the standards of a superior quality blend. This blend must consist of a minimum of 50% of noble grapes: Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or Gewurztraminer, the rest made up of Sylvaner, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, and/or Auxerrois. Before blending, each grape variety must be vinified separately and must officially qualify as an AOC Alsace wine.
AOC Alsace wines are generally varietal wines. The wines in which the grape variety appears on the label are 100% the stated variety.
The permitted grapes are the four noble grapes: Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, and Pinot Gris, completed with Auxerrois (also known as Klevner), Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, Savagnin rosé, Sylvaner, and Pinot Noir.
When no grape variety indicated on the label, the wine is typically a blend.
Depending on which varieties are used in the blend, the producer can label the wine as AOC Alsace, AOC Alsace “Edelzwicker,” or AOC Alsace “Gentil d’Alsace.”
AOC Alsace blends and “Edelzwicker” can be a blend of any grapes allowed within the AOC. There is no grape minimum; the different varieties may be vinified together or separately. The mention of vintage is optional. There is no technical difference between the composition of AOC Alsace blends and “Edelzwicker”—it is at the producer’s discretion as to how they would like to label their wine.
The denomination “Gentil d’Alsace” is reserved for AOC Alsace wines that fit within the standards of a superior quality blend. This blend must consist of a minimum of 50% of noble grapes: Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or Gewurztraminer, the rest made up of Sylvaner, Chasselas, Pinot Blanc, and/or Auxerrois. Before blending, each grape variety must be vinified separately and must officially qualify as an AOC Alsace wine.
General Information
- Country
- France
- Region
- Alsace
- Appellation(s)
- Alsace, Crémant d’Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru
- Producer
- Jean Boxler
- Founded
- 1673
- Annual Production
- 5200 cases
- Farming
- Organic (practicing)
Downloads & Links
Tech Sheet: Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Crémant d’Alsace - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Edelzwicker Réserve - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Pinot Blanc - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Pinot Gris Réserve - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Riesling - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Riesling Grand Cru Brand - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Eckberg” - Albert Boxler
Shelf-Talker: Riesling Réserve - Albert Boxler