Cépages

  • 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
  • Blanc
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Vermentino

Vermentino originates in the vast geographic region between Corsica, Sardinia, Tuscany, Piedmont (where it is known as Favorita) and Liguria (known as Pigato). It takes its name from the Italian fermento, in reference to the sparkling character of its young wines. In Switzerland, this variety, sensitive to spring frosts and mildew, produces fruity, aromatic wines, but it is hardly grown at all.
Associated names : 
Favorita, Pigato, Rolle
  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Zinfandel

The origin of this variety has been much written about. It was introduced to California from Austria under the name Zinfandel in the early 19th century. In the 1970s, it was identified with Primitivo in Pouilles, where it was introduced from Croatia in the late 18th century. In 2011, its original name in Croatia was found: Tribidrag. DNA tests have also shown that it's a parent of Plavac Mali, the most widely grown red grape variety in Croatia. In Switzerland, this early variety with high alcohol levels has only a minimal presence.
Associated names : 
Primitivo
  • Rouge
  • < 2 Ha

Other red

  • Blanc
  • Indigène
  • < 2 Ha

Divona

A crossing between Bronner (a German varietal) and Gamaret, the white Divona grape is the result of 20 years of patient and meticulous selection by Agroscope. The Divona has a very good wine potential and a resistance to gray rot thanks to Gamaret. The grape of the Bronner protects it strongly against the mildew and the powdery mildew (diseases caused by mushrooms).

Divona (codename IRAC 2060) was selected among thousands of applicants on the basis of both vine and wine criteria: disease resistance, adaptation to climate, production capacity and sugar content. This new grape shares the same parents as the red Divico who is already enjoying a promising development.

  • Rouge
  • Allogène (après 1900)
  • < 2 Ha

Barbera

Barbera probably originates from somewhere between Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna (I). It wasn't until after the phylloxera crisis in the late 19th century that it became widespread in Piedmont, particularly in the Alba and Asti regions. A productive variety, producing wines that are rich in colour and alcohol, with minimal cultivation in Switzerland.
  • 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.