Winegrowers’ Portraits Swiss
Winery Jean-René Germanier
leading men for leading wines
Jean-René Germanier,
enologist and Swiss politician, takes over the family vineyard,
built up in 1896 by his forebear Urbain, from the age of 23.
He is the third generation
to watch over the destiny
of the domain. He is supported
in his work by enologist
Gilles Besse, his nephew.
Settled in the locality of Balavaud at Vétroz in the Valais canton, the estate covers 60 hectares in the AOC Valais with a production of 700,000 bottles. The 35-year-old vines on average benefit from a high-end eco-friendly viticulture. Jean-René Germanier and Gilles Besse consider the growing of vines has to enable to produce the best possible grape in respect for the nature. For this reason they have been forerunners fifteen years ago by introducing integrated production that guarantees a reasonable use of products taking into account natural factors. Today they are among the pionneers again thanks to practises like the grass cover of the vineyard in order to eventually reach a 100% certified organic production. It is for them one of the most important stakes of the viticulture in the future.
Following the footsteps of their forebears, Jean-René Germanier and Gilles Besse continue to enhance the quality and presence of their wines. To do so, they regularly invest in modern production tools. They also chose to reduce the yields of their vines to get more concentrated wines. Gilles Besse continuously works at enhancing, testing new blends.
To Jean-René Germanier, a wine grower does not have to distinguish himself by a prestige cuvée in confidential quantities, but with an irreproachable quality of all his range.
Evidence of the house’s wines quality, all the medals that crown the duet’s work. Especially their Cayas has become the symbol of the modern viticultural Valais abroad. Their cuvée Mitis, a sweet wine made with botrytised grapes, is also much appreciated and prize-winning.
The excellence of their work results in their registering in the
Mémoire des Vins Suisses, a famous association that gathers the elite of the Swiss wine producers. They have been represented by their Cayas, and since 2013 by their dry
Amigne Grand Cru. 60 bottles of each wine listed by the association are kept in their “treasure” where they undergo the test of time with the goal to prove they have the ageing capacity of grand fine wines.
All the wines of the range receive special care to express the best of the grape varieties of the domain.
The Classics AOC Valais, varietal wines, are available in white and red.
The Reserve wines, among which Cayas and Mitis, stem from the best vines. At last the blend wines compose a range to satisfy relish and pleasure, signed by Gilles Besse for delicious moments of tasting.
Another historical segment of the house’s activity is the production of brandies. In 1940, Francis Germanier, the founder’s son, decides to plant Williams pear, the terroir of Valais being excellent for this fruit and classed AOP. In 1945, a storm destroys the entire crop. Francis chooses to distil the crushed pears and thus the brandy
Bon Père Williams was created, and is still produced by the domain today.
An estate that is ‘dual-hatted’, like Jean-René Germanier, which provide its products with a great success and a promising development abroad.
Sylvia van der Velden
Cave Jean-René Germanier
Route Cantonale 285
1963 Vétroz - Suisse
Tél: 00 41 27 346 12 16
www.jrgermanier.ch
