Spring & Summer tastings in the Valais.
Spring Tastings in the Swiss Alps – Cave Ouverte du Valais
Every year over the Ascension weekend, Cave Ouverte du Valais offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the region’s wine scene. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps, this event sees dozens of wineries open their doors to wine lovers, curious explorers, and those simply seeking a great day out.
Many organic and biodynamic producers participate, making it a rewarding experience no matter where you stand on the natural wine spectrum. However, it’s worth noting that very few of the region’s zero-sulphur winemakers take part. Perhaps it’s a fear of criticism from consumers unfamiliar with natural wine styles—but in my view, they could afford to be a little braver.
Once again this year, only a handful of true natural wine producers were present. It’s puzzling, especially since several winemakers I’ve spoken to over the years have told me that this is a highly profitable weekend, with many selling tens of thousands of francs’ worth of wine—direct to consumers, with no shipping or logistics involved. It’s a win-win.
Highlight: Mélanie Besse
This isn’t the first time I’ve tasted Mélanie Besse’s wines, and I’m happy to say they remain outstanding. I would even go as far as to say she produces some of the best zero-zero wines in Switzerland.
Her winemaking is precise, thoughtful, and balanced—grapes picked at just the right moment (mur à point). These are consistently excellent wines with purity, structure, and finesse.
“La Petite” – Pure Petite Arvine: Mineral, restrained acidity, grown on granite soils. Elegant and vibrant.
Pet Nat – Gamay du Valais: Fruity and charming with no added sugar, but a touch too sweet for my taste.
Fendant: Zero sulphur, unfiltered, beautifully balanced with a mineral-driven, fruity finish.
Domaine de Beudon – “Les Vignes dans le Ciel”
Domaine de Beudon, known as “Les Vignes dans le Ciel” (Vines in the Sky), is one of the most remarkable wine estates in Switzerland. Perched at 900 meters above sea level, it is accessible only by foot or private cable car—adding to its mystique and uniqueness.
The domaine was founded in the early 1970s by Jacques “Jacky” Granges, a visionary who left a promising academic career in agronomy to pursue a life in harmony with nature. Long before it was trendy, he embraced biodynamic farming, making Domaine de Beudon a pioneer among Switzerland's biodynamic wine estates.
Switzerland is quietly home to some of the most committed biodynamic producers in Europe—and Beudon is a shining example.
As for the wines:
Once again, the Fendant proves to be a reliable classic in the Valais—bright, mineral, and well-suited to the local terroir.
A standout was Symphonie Païenne, made from Savagnin Blanc—a grape better known in Jura, but thriving here in Valais. The climate in the region mirrors that of Jura, though with less frost, making it a particularly good home for this variety. The result is a wine with complexity, tension, and great ageing potential.
Chappaz
Gamay Vieilles Vignes – A Standout
For me, the Gamay Vieilles Vignes was the standout wine of the tasting—the only cuvée that was 100% natural, with no added sulphur. It was vibrant, pure, and alive in the glass.
While the other wines were biodynamic and Demeter-certified, I could still feel the presence of sulphur—there was that slightly chemical, astringent aftertaste that tends to linger, even in otherwise well-made wines. For my palate, it was too much.
This Gamay, however, had none of that. Just clean fruit, energy, and a sense of place. Proof that when natural wine is done right, less truly is more.
Vino Veritas - Martigny / Branson.
Domaine des Petites Planètes form Guillaume Bodin
Humagne Rouge – A Velvety Standout
The Humagne Rouge was a true standout—velvety, layered, and full of character. Notes of almond, cocoa bean, and dark berries gave it a warm, inviting complexity. It’s a wine that lingers in the memory.
Originally from the Aosta Valley, a natural crossing between Cornalin and an unknown grape, Humagne Rouge made its way across the Great Saint Bernard Pass to settle in the Valais. Here, it’s found a second home, producing soulful, mountain-grown reds with both structure and charm.
Also worth noting: the Syrah was excellent—expressive, unfiltered, and beautifully handled. Both wines reflect the altitude, the terroir, and a winemaking approach that favors honesty over manipulation.
O Faya Farm
Ô Fâya – Farm Around in Conthey
Perched on a cascading hillside in Conthey, Valais, Ô Fâya is more than just a vineyard—it's a working Alpine farm, home to cows, sheep, dogs, chickens, and an impressive diversity of life. The setting is as wild and authentic as the wines themselves.
Once again, the Fendants were excellent—crystalline, with crisp apple notes that reflect the granite soils beautifully. This terroir lends a mineral precision that suits the variety perfectly.
The whites were consistently strong across the board. The Fendant, in particular, stood out for its clarity and balance, though it's worth noting that a small amount of sulphur is added. Still, the wine retains a sense of purity and freshness that speaks to thoughtful farming and low-intervention winemaking.
