Swiss winegrowers who will make a name for themselves

A new generation of winegrowers is proving that they have precisely this innovative strength. The following personalities from all six wine regions of Switzerland are worth keeping an eye on.

Valais: Clément Luisier

While still training as a winemaker, the then 18-year-old Clément Luisier from Saillon in the Rhone Valley in Valais decided to make his own wine. So he persuaded his parents to sell him some of their grapes. Since then, the now 23-year-old winemaker has made steady progress. While training to become a cellar master, he has been able to increase his production every year. Today, he is increasingly focusing on organic viticulture – and regularly wins medals for his wines.

Saillon, le 25 juillet 2023, Clément Luisier Vigneron encaveur, © Sedrik Nemeth

Vaud: Michel Reynolds

Michel Reynolds is not your typical rookie: the winemaker from Vaux-sur-Morges in Vaud is already 48 years old. But as a producer of his own wine, he is indeed a newcomer, having founded his cellar Domaine le Grand R in 2020. His years of experience in the industry come to his aid. He graduated from the Changins School of Viticulture and worked as an oenologist and wine salesman. Now he is not only making a name for himself with his wines, but also with their labels, which are embossed in Braille.

Michel Reynolds from Vaux-sur-Morges in Vaud. © Michel Reynolds

German-speaking Switzerland: Gianmarco Ofner

Even as a child, Gianmarco Ofner was already working on the steep vineyards of his godfather Urs Pircher. He liked the work and the working atmosphere in Eglisau, Zurich, so much that he began an apprenticeship as a winemaker after leaving school. He then studied oenology in Changins and made a stopover on the Moselle in Germany. After returning to Switzerland, he worked closely with his godfather and took over the Pircher winery at the end of 2021. The 31-year-old has been converting the business to organic farming since 2022.

Gianmarco Ofner from Eglisau, Zurich. © Hans-Peter Siffert/weinweltfoto.ch

Geneva: Camille Cretegny

She first completed a law degree before taking over the helm of her parents’ La Devinière winery in Satigny in 2022 after completing her basic agricultural training. Today, 35-year-old Camille Cretegny’s Gamay is considered one of the best in the Geneva wine-growing region. The winemaker strives for organic, sustainable, humane and environmentally conscious viticulture. To achieve this, she endeavours to make the best possible use of resources from the grape to the bottle.

Camille Cretegny from Satigny. © Camille Cretegny

Ticino: Adrien Stevens

Adrien Stevens has worked for well-known winemakers such as Christian Zündel in Ticino and Nicolas Joly in Burgundy. He has been an independent winemaker since 2020. Today, the 40-year-old cultivates three hectares spread over two vineyards: one in Monteggio in Malcantone and one in Castel San Pietro in Mendrisiotto, where the vines are over 30 years old. The winemaker works biodynamically, ferments spontaneously with natural yeasts, rarely racks the wine and uses little sulphur.

Adrien Stevens from Ticino. © Adrien Stevens

Three lakes: Charlotte Burgat

Growing up on the Caves de Chambleau vineyard above Lake Neuchâtel, Charlotte Burgat was bitten by the winemaking bug at an early age. After deciding to follow in her father’s footsteps, she completed her bachelor’s degree in viticulture and oenology in 2018. She then continued her training at various wineries in Switzerland, Burgundy, and New Zealand. She has been looking after the vineyards and the wines of the family business since 2022. Her flagship wine is Pinot Noir, which she produces in all its varieties.

Charlotte Burgat from the Caves de Chambleau vineyard. © Domaine de Chambleau

So the conclusion is clear: the personalities presented from all six wine regions of Switzerland are definitely worth keeping an eye on!