Wineries

This sixth edition of the Gault&Millau awards brings the top Swiss winemakers in the limelight beyond the Swiss borders.

The viticulture of Switzerland is recognised to go back more than 2000 years. Numerous grape varieties are grown for wine productions. Some are indigenous, whilst others are also found internationally. High-quality Swiss wines continue to receive many awards and are increasing in popularity, globally. For this quest I searched for Pinot Noir wines from Switzerland.

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. 

By Stephan Rheinhardt. To access the detailed notes and ratings you must subscribe to The Wine Advocate www.robertparker.com

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.

Discreet and delicate but nevertheless distinct – “It is the wine closest to nothingness that I have ever tasted”, says writer Katsuyuki Tanaka.

Our Valais alpine landscape is shaped by vineyards that seem closer to the sky than to the ground. From Vionnaz to Niedergestein, I have discovered exceptional vineards, among which is the "Clos de Couta" in Vex, which funny enough resembles a rice field.

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."

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.

She is Suzann Churchill, daughter of the Duke of Marlborough, fifth in line. He is Aimé-Timothée Cuénod, son of a pastor of Villette by the lake Geneva. Together the young couple had acquired, the Clos du Crosex Grillé, which they cherished and for long the product of this vineyard was seen as a trophy both in Switzerland and England.