Varieties
GALOTTA
MALBEC
CABERNET FRANC
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, Sauvignon Blanc (sometimes blended with Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon) is used for a dry wine. As of 2020 a dry Sauvignon Gris will be produced.
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, Malbec and Cabernet Franc) are vinified 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 vinified and bottled separately, as single varietal wines from plot selections. As Cabernet Franc has given very bad results, in terms of ripeness, it will be grafted in 2021.