CHASSELAS: Over 80% of the winery is planted with this very old variety, originating from the region around Lake Geneva (“Wine Grapes”, by J. Vouillamoz, J. Robinson & J. Harding). However, the name of this variety of grape derives from the village of Chasselas in Burgundy. Though Chasselas is the very symbol of Swiss white wine, it can be found in France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, California, Canada & New Zealand.
Most of the Chasselas is sold in bulk at harvest. Some selections are made to be bottled at the winery: either old vines, or best exposure, or both. Yields are kept very low, in order for the remaining grape clusters to fully ripen before they are ready to be picked. Lower yields are also important to concentrate savours, thus increasing the potential for richer wines that age well.
SAUVIGNON BLANC: In special years - when mother nature allows - a dry wine is produced from Sauvignon Blanc.
CHARDONNAY: Since 2022 there is a small plot of Chardonnay. Given the low yields we seek, it can hardly ever give us more than a barrel. 2022 & 2023 were not deemed good enough and therefore eliminated. 2024 is currently bottle-ageing.
SWEET WINE: Sauvignon Blanc & Sauvignon Gris are assembled with Sémillon to produce a sweet wine, in which the Sauvignon Blanc usually represents 65% of the Blend. The 5’000 m2, planted with those varietals, can yield 800 litres, equivalent to 16 hl / ha.
All red varieties (Gamay, Galotta and Malbec) are crafted with almost daily attention, at the winery. They are barrel-aged in french oak and will be bottled if they meet our requirements in quality. Those barrels which do not meet our standard, are either sold or distilled.
Up until now all red varieties are strictly elaborated and bottled separately, as single varietal wines from plot selections. Prior to 2021 we had Cabernet Franc, which has given mediocre results, in terms of ripeness.