List of products by brand DOMAINE JEAN-PAUL METTE

Based in Ribeauvillé, in the heart of the Haut-Rhin, Domaine Jean-Paul Mette has been one of Alsace's most respected artisan distilleries since 1962. Founded by Jean-Paul Metté, the house passed in 1998 to his godson Philippe Traber and is today led by Philippe's son Timothée — a family transmission that has kept the founding rigour firmly intact. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this distillery for the aromatic precision of its eaux-de-vie, their deep roots in Alsatian terroir, and the continuity of a distilling craft handed down across two generations. A Ribeauvillé address we follow with great loyalty.

Established in Ribeauvillé in the Haut-Rhin, Domaine Jean-Paul Mette has embodied the art of artisan distillation in Alsace since 1962. Taken over in 1998 by the Traber family, it continues to pursue a standard of craft that remains genuinely rare in the production of Alsatian eaux-de-vie.

An artisan distillery at the heart of Ribeauvillé

Ribeauvillé sits at the foot of the Vosges mountains in the Haut-Rhin, one of the most storied communes along the Alsace wine route. It is here that Jean-Paul Metté founded his distillery in 1962, with a clear ambition: to produce eaux-de-vie of the highest aromatic integrity, drawing on the exceptional fruit grown in this corner of eastern France. The town's position — sheltered by the Vosges, bathed in some of the driest sunshine in France — has long made it a natural home for fine spirits production, where the quality of local raw materials sets the tone for everything that follows in the still.

A family transmission, two generations on

In 1998, Jean-Paul Metté passed the distillery to his godson, Philippe Traber, ensuring that the founding philosophy — precision, patience, and an uncompromising respect for the fruit — would be carried forward rather than diluted. Today, Philippe's son Timothée Traber leads the house, representing the second generation of Traber stewardship. This continuity is not merely sentimental: it translates directly into the consistency and character of the spirits produced. The distillery operates outside the AOC vineyard framework — it is not a wine-producing domaine in the conventional sense — but its standing within Alsatian artisan production is firmly established, built on decades of quiet, focused work.

Craft distillation as a discipline

Domaine Jean-Paul Mette works in the tradition of Alsatian artisan distillation, a craft with its own exacting standards quite distinct from industrial spirits production. The approach centres on the quality and provenance of the fruit, careful fermentation, and distillation in small batches that allow full aromatic expression. The result is a range of eaux-de-vie that carry a clear sense of place — of Ribeauvillé, of the Haut-Rhin, of Alsace — without artifice or embellishment.

The range: Alsatian eaux-de-vie

The distillery produces a focused range of artisan eaux-de-vie rooted in the fruit traditions of Alsace. Expect to find:

• Fruit eaux-de-vie — distillations from classic Alsatian fruits including mirabelle, quetsch, and wild raspberry, each expressing the character of the raw material with clarity and depth
• Poire Williams — the benchmark Alsatian pear spirit, produced with the care and restraint that defines the house style
• Framboise and small-fruit spirits — delicate, intensely aromatic distillations that reward patient tasting
• Aged and rested expressions — where the distillery's patience in the cellar adds further complexity to the base spirit

Why we have selected Domaine Jean-Paul Mette

At Halles Quercamps, we look for producers who bring genuine craft and territorial identity to what they make. Domaine Jean-Paul Mette meets both criteria without qualification. First, the aromatic precision of these eaux-de-vie is immediately apparent: there is nothing blurred or generic about them — each spirit speaks clearly of its fruit and its origins in the Haut-Rhin. Second, the family continuity from Jean-Paul Metté through to Timothée Traber gives us confidence in the long-term consistency of the house. Third, this is a distillery that operates quietly and without fanfare, letting the quality of the spirits make the case — exactly the kind of producer we are drawn to.

We recommend these eaux-de-vie to enthusiasts who appreciate the finer traditions of French artisan distillation, and who enjoy exploring beyond the wine glass. They are equally at home as a digestif after a fine meal, alongside a selection of Alsatian cheeses, or as a considered gift for someone who values craft above all.

Explore the full range from Domaine Jean-Paul Mette

Browse all available expressions from this Ribeauvillé distillery — including seasonal and limited releases — in our curated selection below.