Valais
a wealth of indigenous grapes
Ancient History
A curious fact: grape seeds found by archeologists date back to 880-500 BC, but the earliest evidence of wine in the region dates to the Roman conquest, 100 BC approximately. The abbey in St. Maurice began cultivating grapevines after it was founded in 515 and these have been grown continually since, making it the oldest winemaking estate in the world.
Highest elevation
Almost as stunning as the snowy peaks and glaciers are the dry stone walls and terraced vineyards. The canton is home to 3,000 km (nearly 2,000 miles) of these hand-built and hand-maintained walls that as a rule use no cement and require great skill. The walls help retain the soil that steep slopes and extreme weather would otherwise wash away, one reason vignerons here are highly regarded as guardians of the land. Another part of their work for centuries has been to help build and keep up the bisses, or irrigation canals that carry melting snow to farmers on the plains and lower slopes. Today, 65 of the 190 bisses are still used for agriculture, including vineyards. Some of the finest hikes in Switzerland are trails along the edges of these bisses.
Unique naming
A confusing aspect of this region, especially for newcomers, is the use of grape names that don’t always correspond to those used elsewhere. Chasselas, so well known in Vaud, is called Fendant in Valais. Malvoisie is the name for Pinot Gris, Marsanne Blanche is called Ermitage. And the names Paien and Heida are used for Savagnin Blanc. Silvaner is called Johannisberg – a name that was used for Riesling until 1929!
world class Wine
Perhaps from a wine-lovers perspective the most notable feature of Valais is the number of excellent native grapes, starting with the whites Petite Arvine and Amigne, and the red Cornalin, all of which make world-class wines.
the perfect terroir
Valais is notably sunny and dry with dry winds that give it a semi-arid climate, perfect for growing grapes on the slopes that rise from the Rhone river to the spectacular mountain peaks. The canton is home to several well-known ski resorts, including Zermatt with the Matterhorn, Verbier and Crans-Montana. The Rhone was formed 20,000 years ago when the Rhone glacier retreated, leaving a fast-running river fed by dozens of tributaries in lateral valleys. The river powers into Lake Geneva and from there, eight years later, the same droplets leave the lake and head through France’s Rhone Valley to the Mediterranean. The northernmost Rhone Valley wines are thus in Switzerland and in recent years the reputation of the Syrah wines made here has risen dramatically, thanks to climate change and improved winemaking skills for reds.
featured winemakers from valais
Coming soon: Cave des Amandiers
Coming soon: Valentina Andrei
