Winemaker

A few years ago Christian and Julien Dutruy took over from this renown estate from their father. In addition, the Dutruy family also runs a grapevine nursery. Before taking one the estate, the two brothers trained and traveled to various skies or rather latitudes. 

Every year, Swiss Wine Promotion in cooperation with the acclaimed Gault & Millau gastronomic guide, nominates the Swiss winemakers who produce exceptional wines and contribute to the promotion of Swiss wine quality in Switzerland and abroad.

The man is imposing both by his stature and by his calm. After observing him for a moment it clearly appears that the slogan “the quiet force” was written for him. Native of La Côte, he defines himself as a "winemaker at heart." He tells us that at the age of twelve, he already wanted to become a winemaker. He has even become a master winemaker. When we mention the respect his peers have for him, he replies modestly "it’s easier to win a rally when you have a good car."

Our winemaker has made an explosive entrance into the wine world after serving for ten years as a special education teacher. Her passion for wine, combined with the chance to own some family vineyards, helped her to get started. It was with a small range of wines that she was quickly "spotted" by a few wine merchants, restaurants and journalists. Then the Gault & Millau guide, placed her immediately among the 100 best winemakers in the country without going through the interim step of  "rookie of the year."

The tone is set as soon as we enter the courtyard at ​​La Pierre Latine estate in Yvorne. "Come in, and let’s have a glass" at only ten o'clock in the morning. The conversation is launched rapidly and before talking of the winemaker, we take an interest in the public figure. For Philippe Gex is a major personality in the region.

We met Georg Fromm in his beautiful tasting room, which provides a view on the one side to the moutainous region of the Bündner Herrschaft and the other to the oak barrels lined up behind a glass wall. Wine has been flowing through the veins of the Fromm family since several generations; in 1912 Barthelemy Fromm was already awarded a gold medal for his red wine Schöpfi-Wingert at the Swiss Hospitality Industry Exhibition in Zurich.

Daniel Marugg received us in his cellar, located in the small town of Fläsch in an area called "Bovel". The man exudes a calm and reassuring serenity. Deeply convinced by the regions high potential for great wines, he summarizes "If you have the will and the talent, anyone can produce great wines in the Graubünden"... 

Irene Grünenfelder grew up in the Albula region (Graubünden), she has been a teacher in Arosa and a journalist in Geneva before becoming a self-taught and passionate winemaker. It was during a trip to Burgundy and a visit to Lignier Hubert, owner of Clos de la Roche Morey St. Denis in Côte de Nuits, that she became passionate about the Pinot Noir.

Donatsch is a "success story" particularly the last two generations. In the early seventies, Johann, Martin's father, was at the Romanée Conti Domain in Burgundy as a trainee. When he returned to the Graubünden he had plenty of new ideas and a French oak barrel, which at the time was very uncommon in Switzerland. He also brought with him Chardonnay grapes, which he was the first to plant in the region. At the time the grape was unauthorized by the local authorities but today things have changed and it produces remarkable wines.

Martin Hubacher is undoubtedly the most famous winemaker of the region. He spend a generous time with us at his winery in Twann. A conversation marked by its frankness and a rare honesty, along with humor and gravity. The beginning of Martin’s life at the winery was hard. He had just completed his training in Changins (Swiss wine school), when he had to take over the estate after the unexpected death of his father, a man still in his young age. A heavy burden and many responsibilities for a young man who was not quite prepared yet for the task.