#### Grillette, Domaine de Cressier (Neuchatel) ####
Located in the heart of the 3 Lacs Region in the village of Cressier (NE), it stands as a prominent winery in Switzerland. Established on the slopes of the southern Jura, the domain spans 20 hectares of vineyards that enjoy a rich and diverse range of terroirs. These include soils composed of complex limestone, sand, moraine and marly pebbles, providing an exceptional environment for viticulture.
The history of Grillette is notable for its pioneering spirit, especially in the cultivation of Chardonnay since 1964, which makes one of the first domains in Switzerland to plant this varietal. The winery's philosophy aligns with a commitment to producing high-quality, authentic wines, a pursuit akin to the meticulous craftsmanship of watchmaking. This dedication to excellence has led to the introduction of exclusively parcel-based Cru wines from 100% pure varietals since the 2005 vintage. The winery cultivates 14 dierent grape varieties across 17 different parcels, reflecting a diverse viticultural practice.
Grillette Domaine de Cressier prides itself on its environmentally respectful and sustainable
viticulture practices. Following Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's ethos — "we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children" — the winery has transitioned to sustainable vine cultivation, eliminating synthetic treatments, herbicides, and pesticides in favor of natural treatments and biodynamic practices.
The current vinification process is managed by Matthias Tobler and Annie Rossi, who bring together the strengths of two generations, cultures (Swiss and French) and the union of male and female sensibilities to the winemaking process. Grillette's dedication to quality and sustainable practices, combined with its rich historical background and innovative approach to winemaking, positions it as a significant player in the Swiss wine industry, aiming to elevate the global recognition of Swiss wines.
#### Grisoni Vins, Cressier (Neuchatel) ####
Grisoni Vins in Cressier is a renowned winery with a long history dating back to 1937. This estate offers a selection of fine wines, sourced from its own vineyards in the Three Lakes region. Their philosophy is based on producing wines that reflect the unique character of their terroir while maintaining a close connection with local wine traditions.
The winery was founded when Louis Grisoni decided to take the reins of wine production, focusing not only on the quality of the grapes but also on the distinctive character of his wines. The company cultivates 12 hectares of own vineyards and acquires the harvest from an additional 8 hectares from small local vintners, with whom it has maintained relationships for generations. The vineyards are located on the slopes connecting Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel, at the foot of the southern Jura Mountains. The soil is calcareous with a mix of sand, moraine, and marly pebbles, providing conditions similar to those of Burgundy, thanks also to the thermal regulation provided by the proximity of the lakes. This unique location allows the cultivation of 7 different grape varieties distributed over a dozen plots, with Pinot Noir preferring calcareous soils and Chasselas thriving better on deeper sandy-clay soils. Among the most well-known and appreciated products are the Pinot Noir "Cuvée des Devins" Vieilles Vignes, Pinot Noir Cuvée St-Louis and Chasselas Grande Feuillée, which
are some of the top sellers of the estate. The estate demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental respect. The fact that it is led by the duo who also manage Domaine Grillette is an absolute guarantee of the quality and sustainability of the products.
#### Cottinelli Weinbau, Malans (Graubünden) ####
Cottinelli Weinbau, located in Malans in the heart of Graubünden, is part of the Plozza Wine Group and is one of the most esteemed wineries in the region, with a history that begins in 1868. Originally founded as a small shop selling Italian colonial goods in Chur, the company shifted its focus exclusively to wines, moving then to Malans in the 1970s. This relocation marked the beginning of a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of their wines, with an approach that considers respect for nature and sustainable resource use as fundamental.
The winery engages in environmentally respectful viticulture practices, with integrated production and a natural approach. They manage 22 hectares of vineyards and collaborate with 40 grape suppliers, highlighting the value they place on relationships and the quality of the finished product. Their range of wines includes white, red, and rosé specialties, as well as classic lines, reserves, and modern varieties, reflecting over a century of experience and ongoing pursuit of innovation and excellence.
The Plozza Wine Group, under whose aegis Cottinelli operates, is known for uniting four companies with long traditions and specialized expertise in both wine production (in Switzerland and in Italy in Valtellina and Franciacorta) and international trade. This synergy allows Cottinelli to offer wines that are appreciated not only locally but also internationally, with special mention of their quality wines produced between in the Rhine Valley of Graubünden.
#### St. Jodern Kellerei, Visperterminen (Valais) ####
St. Jodern Kellerei, located in Visperterminen near Brig in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, boasts of having the highest vineyard in Switzerland. Founded as a cooperative in 1980 with 120 members, its mission was to preserve and enhance the winemaking tradition in a region where viticulture has a long history, possibly starting from the Celtic era. Today, the cooperative has grown to include over 600 members and produces around 400,000 bottles of wine annually from about 50 hectares of vineyards.
The unique geographic location of St. Jodern Kellerei, with vineyards situated at altitudes between 650 and 1,150 meters, provides a distinctive climate that significantly benefits the wine's character. The dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night during autumn impart a pronounced fruity flavor to the wines, while the soils contribute to their characteristic minerality. This terroir is especially conducive to the cultivation of the Heida grape, also known as the "Pearl of the Alps", which thrives under these conditions to produce full-bodied, intensely flavorful wines. The Heida Veritas is a standout among their offerings, crafted from vines over a hundred years old. This wine is noted for its intense aromas of apples, nuts, citrus fruits, and orange peel, offering a harmonious and balanced taste. St. Jodern Kellerei has gained recognition for its innovative approach to winemaking and has been awarded for several of its wines, including the Heida Barrique, which has
twice won the Best in Show Decanter World Wine Award in London. The winery's commitment to quality is further demonstrated in their latest sparkling wine, Heida Chatouille, which leaves an elegant, creamy impression on the palate.
#### Maison Rouge, St-Pierre-de-Clages (Valais) ####
Maison Rouge, located in St. Pierre de Clages, is a winery that reflects the authenticity and distinctive character of the Valais region, carefully working on 18 hectares of vineyards situated between Sierre and Leytron. Their philosophy focuses on authenticity, finesse, homage to the Valais region and sharing, both of knowledge and wine products. For each grape variety, they carefully choose the most suitable soil, ensuring that each wine reflects the unique characteristics of its grape, resulting in a range of high-quality characterful wines that express elegance and body.
A distinctive feature of the winery is the long aging process in wooden barrels to which they subject many of their wines (ranging from 12 to 92 months, depending on the product type). This allows them to bring to market products that are ready for immediate consumption while still ensuring that the bottles (both red and white) can continue to age for many more years in the cellar.
As we wrote one of their distinctive features is the way they celebrate tradition and authenticity, with a particular appreciation for wines that express the inherent characteristics of the grapes from which they come. This traditional approach extends to the way they train young people, offering them the opportunity to learn and share the passion for winemaking. The wines of Maison Rouge bear names inspired by the Valais dialect, paying tribute to the builders of terraces on the sunny rocky slopes of Valais, a gesture that reflects the deep connection between the winery and its terroir. Maison Rouge is committed to producing wines with respect for nature. Thus, the entire estate has been organically farmed, and starting in 2021, it is undergoing conversion to organic practices.
#### Belvedere-Castello Luigi, Besazio (Ticino) ####
Tenuta Belvedere, located in Besazio in the Canton of Ticino, was acquired in 1988 by Luigi Zanini. Situated in a natural amphitheater-shaped hollow, the property benefits from limestone, tuffaceous, and slightly sandy soil, ideal for viticulture. Initially, the 43,000 square meter property offered 30,000 square meters suitable for vine cultivation, with two hectares mainly planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, and one hectare with Chardonnay. The winery, inspired by Château Palmer, was designed with an underground helical design to allow for a completely gravitational wine processing, avoiding any mechanical stress on the wine.
Castello Luigi is distinguished for producing high-quality wines, with an experimental first harvest in 1991 and the first bottles marketed in 1996 for the white and 1997 for the red. Today, the goal is to produce a limited number of bottles to maintain a high-quality standard, with particular attention to yield per hectare, in order to ensure the concentration and quality of the wine. The Castello Luigi red is known for its blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Castello Luigi white is produced exclusively from Chardonnay. The production capacity of the winery, in the most favorable vintages, reaches 10,000 bottles for the red and 3,000 for the white, with aging in barriques for periods ranging from 10 to 20 months depending on the wine. The winemaking approach
includes traditional techniques such as manual grape pressing for part of the harvest, demonstrating a deep connection with artisanal production techniques.
Comments