Swiss role

When one thinks of Switzerland, one of the first images that come to mind are of rugged mountains and lakes. It is not a country that one first thinks of when it comes to wine.

Wine production in Switzerland can be traced back to at least 100 BC when the Roman's planted the first vines in the Valais area, growing and making wine from such varieties as Amigne, Arvine, and Rèze grapes. In the middle ages Cistercian Monks from Burgundy in France moved in and developed areas in Vaud in the south. The Monks were keen to refine their viticultural processes, studying the various soil types and selecting the best varieties of grapes to grow. With the knowledge gained they would go on to develop a very healthy export trade with other regions and countries. From that moment on, Swiss wine production has been ongoing, apart from a major drop in production when the outbreak of Phylloxera struck in the late 1800's.

Switzerland currently,has over 15,000 hectares under vine with an annual production of around 1 million hectolitres. However just a paltry 2% of that production is exported, mainly to Germany, but now it arrives in the UK.

Gauntley's have decided to work with two very talented wine makers. Blaize Duboux and Pierre-Luc Leyraz. Both winemakers are passionate about their vines and the terroir, which is reflected in the superb range of wines.