Domaine Marc Tempé
ドメーヌ・マルク・テンペ
Biodynamic master of long-aged, terroir-driven Alsace wines
Domaine Marc Tempé is one of Alsace's most revered biodynamic producers, based in the hillside village of Zellenberg near Colmar. Marc Tempé founded the domaine in 1993 together with his wife Anne-Marie, combining vineyard parcels inherited from both families into what was then an 8.5-hectare estate. Before becoming a winemaker, Tempé spent over a decade at the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d'Origine), where he helped define Alsace's Grand Cru classifications — knowledge that now informs his meticulous, terroir-first approach. The estate converted to organic farming from the outset and adopted biodynamics in 1996, earning Ecocert certification. Today roughly 20 hectares spread across some 30 parcels in Zellenberg, Hunawihr, St. Hippolyte, Sigolsheim and Kientzheim, including prestigious Grand Cru sites such as Furstentum, Mambourg and Schoenenbourg. Grapes are hand-harvested and pressed extremely slowly to preserve natural acidity, then fermented with indigenous yeasts in old foudres or Burgundy barrels and aged a minimum of 24 months before bottling — far longer than standard regional practice. The result is wines of remarkable depth, purity and stability, made with minimal sulfur and without filtration. Standing well over 190cm tall, Tempé is affectionately nicknamed 'the giant of Alsace,' known for his warmth, generosity mentoring younger winemakers, and deep affection for Japan, which he has visited many times to explore pairings between his wines and Japanese cuisine.
www.marctempe.fr/ ↗Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
For connoisseurs who love complex, terroir-driven natural wines with real aging potential — especially those pairing wine with refined or Japanese cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Domaine Marc Tempé's aging process unusual?
- Marc Tempé ages his wines for a minimum of 24 months in old foudres or Burgundy barrels — roughly twice as long as standard Alsace practice — fermenting only with indigenous yeasts and using minimal sulfur.
- Is Domaine Marc Tempé certified biodynamic?
- Yes. The domaine farmed organically from its 1993 founding and converted fully to biodynamics in 1996, earning Ecocert certification.
- What Grand Cru vineyards does Marc Tempé work with?
- His portfolio includes parcels in the Grand Cru sites of Furstentum, Mambourg and Schoenenbourg, alongside village-level bottlings from his home vineyard in Zellenberg.
- Why are Marc Tempé's wines so popular in Japan?
- Tempé has visited Japan many times to explore pairings with Japanese cuisine, and the wines' bright acidity, mineral purity and long aging make them favorites among Japanese sommeliers and natural wine fans.
- What is Marc Tempé's background before winemaking?
- He spent over a decade at France's INAO (Institut National des Appellations d'Origine), helping define Alsace's Grand Cru classifications, before founding his own domaine in 1993.