Cépages

  • Blanc
  • Indigène
  • < 2 Ha

Diolle

Diolle is an old variety of Valais (Switzerland), recorded for the first time in 1654 around Conthey. Until 2007, Diolle was thought to have disappeared, until two surviving vines were discovered in a wall at Savièse. DNA tests indicate that it is an offspring of Rèze. This revived variety was planted by Didier Joris and José Vouillamoz in 2015, so we will have to wait until 2018 for the first wine from this "new old" variety of Valais.
  • Blanc
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Mondeuse Blanche

An old variety of Savoie (F), Mondeuse Blanche has long been wrongly thought to be a mutation of Mondeuse Noire, which is much more common. In fact, DNA tests have shown that the rare Mondeuse Blanche is the parent of Syrah through a cross with Dureza from Ardèche, and a parent or a progeny of Mondeuse Noire and Viognier. In Switzerland, there are only a few plots of this discreet, late-ripening variety, producing wines of a neutral flavour with high alcohol levels.
Associated names : 
Dongine
  • Blanc
  • Traditionnel (av. 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Gouais

Nicknamed the Casanova variety, Gouais Blanc is a very old variety from the north-east of France which through natural crossings has given rise to more than 80 new varieties throughout Europe, including Chardonnay, Gamay, Riesling, Furmint, and many more. Banned for a long time in France, where this founder variety has almost disappeared, it has however been continuously grown in Haut Valais (Switzerland) since 1540, under the name of Gwäss. Highly productive and resistant to winter frosts, Gouais Blanc is now cultivated exclusively in Haut Valais, where it produces highly acidic wines with a marked aroma of pears.
Associated names : 
Gwäss
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Grenache

An old variety originating from the Aragon region (E) where it is known as Garnacha, which has several mutations (Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Roja, Garnacha Peluda), Grenache then spread throughout France and Sardinia (Cannonau). Ripening very late, Grenache is suited to warm, sunny climates, where it produces wine rich in alcohol, with the aroma of warm strawberries. It has a limited presence in Switzerland.
Associated names : 
Cannonau
  • Blanc
  • Indigène
  • < 2 Ha

Himbertscha

An extremely rare variety of Haut Valais (Switzerland), Himbertscha is a natural offspring of Humagne Blanc, and a half-sibling of Lafnetscha, another curio from Haut Valais. Its name does not come from Himbeer (raspberry) but from the dialect phrase "im Bercla" meaning "in the arbour". It was saved from extinction in the 1970s by Josef-Marie Chanton, who is still the only producer in the world, with a tiny vineyard. Its wine is elegant and highly acidic, with strange musky notes.
  • Blanc
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Kernling

A spontaneous mutation of Kerner discovered by Ludwig Hochdörfer at Nussdorf in the Palatinate region, it is marked by lower productivity.
  • Blanc
  • Indigène
  • < 2 Ha

Lafnetscha

With records of it dating back to 1627 in Haut Valais (Switzerland), Lafnetscha comes from a natural cross between Humagne Blanche from Valais and Completer from Graubünden, which means it is a half-sibling of Himbertscha. The name may come from Laff-nit-scha, a dialect form of "laff es nicht schon" (meaning don't drink it too soon), in reference to its high acidity. Grown exclusively in Haut Valais, this local mid-season rarity produces dry wines, with sustained acidity and notes of apple and elderberry.
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Rondo

A hybrid of Zarya Severa and Sankt Laurent created in 1964 at the Geisenheim Research Centre (D), Rondo is a very early variety resistant to mildew, although less so to powdery mildew. This red-skinned interspecific hybrid is used to improve the colour of blends. Its presence in German-speaking Switzerland is minimal.
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Sangiovese

The most widely cultivated red grape variety in Italy, there are records of Sangiovese dating back to 1600 in Tuscany. Its name may derive from the blood of Jupiter (sanguis Jovis). DNA has revealed that it's a natural cross between Ciliegiolo, an old variety of Chianti, and Calabrese di Montenuovo, a rare variety from Calabria. Sangiovese is thus Tuscan-Calabrian. In Switzerland, there are only a few traces left of this very late-ripening variety which is highly resistant to dryness. Its wines are high in tannins and acidity, getting better with age.
Associated names : 
Montepulciano
  • Blanc
  • Traditionnel (av. 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Sylvaner

Originally from Austria, Sylvaner is a natural cross between Savagnin (Heida in Valais) and Österreichisch Weiß, an old Austrian variety. Its name comes from the Latin silva (meaning forest), indicating a supposedly wild origin. In Switzerland, it is grown particularly in Valais where it is known as Johannisberg in reference to a famous winegrowing domain of Rheingau (D). Its wines offer aromas of hazelnut and mild acidity.
Associated names : 
Johannisberg, Gros Rhin