Domaine
de Beudon
The only access is a 3-hour hike up a sheer mountainside with fixed ropes—or a rustic private cable car. At 890 meters above sea level, on slopes up to 50 degrees, Marion and Jacques Granges cultivated Switzerland's first biodynamic vineyard, reachable only by those crazy enough to try.
In 1971, Jacques "Jacky" Granges settled in the hamlet of Beudon above Fully, joined a year later by Marion, a trained biodynamic horticulturist from Bern. What began as a grape-selling operation to the cooperative evolved into a bottled-wine estate in the 1990s, entirely organic by 1989 and Demeter-certified by 1992—making them Switzerland's biodynamic pioneers. Their 6 hectares cling to a small swell halfway up the mountain, where indigenous yeasts, stainless steel, and zero filtration create wines of impossible freshness and density despite 11-12.5% alcohol. [^95^] [^97^] [^96^]
Jacques Granges
Settled alone at Beudon in 1971. "Crazy" for choosing this impossible site, crazy for converting to biodynamics before it was hip, crazy for the grapes he grew. "Simply one more great man whose genius has been dubbed crazy by those who do not understand him." Passed away shortly after a visit by US importers, seeming "immortal up there in his vineyards in the sky." [^97^]
Marion Granges
Trained horticulturist who brought biodynamic impulse to Beudon. "The real pionnière" who converted the domaine 10 years before Marie-Thérèse Chappaz. Treats vines with whey, herbal teas (nettle, comfrey, yarrow), plant decoctions and essential oils. Continues the work with their daughters. [^95^] [^116^]
The Impossible Vineyard
6 hectares at 400-900m elevation. 50-degree slopes. Tertiary limestone, schist, gneiss, and blue clay. No tractors, ever. The only way up: a 3-hour hike with fixed ropes, or the small rustic cable car.
Reds descend in tanks
Essential oil treatments
No clones, ever
Juice flows down via tube
Pure terroir expression
Vinification by Pierre-Antoine Crettenand since 1995. Whites are pressed on the mountain; the juice travels down via a flexible pipeline (a "fin tuyau souple") to the cellar in the valley. Reds are fermented in tanks that descend via cable car. No oak, no filtration, indigenous yeasts only. The result: wines with "conjonction de densité et de finesse, de naturel d'expression"—density married to finesse, natural expression. [^96^] [^97^]
"Crazy to move up here. Crazy to convert to biodynamics long before it was hip. Crazy to grow the grapes he grows."— On Jacques Granges' genius
The Wines
11-12.5% alcohol despite density. Fresh, digeste, with enormous ageing potential. Valaisan varieties from the "vineyard of the impossible." [^96^]
Nearly extinct Swiss grape saved by Valais growers. Full-bodied yet delicate, notes of lime tree and hazelnuts, tending toward resin with age. Richer than Petite Arvine, more neutral, with elegant texture. "Dangerous" and rare. [^103^] [^108^]
The renowned local variety. Grown at altitude around the hamlet, benefiting from cool nights and limestone soils. Saline, mineral, with racy acidity.
The traditional Valaisan white (Chasselas locally). Style: green and flinty. 90-95 point scores from Wine-Searcher. "A once highly regarded variety in Europe" now rediscovered. [^109^]
Light and perfumed style. 90-95 point wines. No relation to Humagne Blanche genetically, despite the name. Elegant, peppery, with mountain freshness despite the altitude. [^118^]
Planted in the plain around the cellar where Pierre-Antoine vinifies. Restrained nose of ripe red fruit, damp earth, tilled soil. Elegant, long, absolutely delicious with 10+ year ageing potential. [^107^]
The Swiss name for Silvaner. Aromatic, structured, benefiting from the slow ripening at 890 meters. Part of the "forgotten grapes" revival that Jacques championed.
Visit & Contact
Located in the hamlet of Beudon, above Fully in Valais, between Martigny and Saillon. Access only by private cable car or the steep footpath. The estate sells mature vintages with significant ageing potential.
Location
Beudon · Fully
Valais · Switzerland
890m Altitude
Access
Private Cable Car
Or 3-Hour Hike
Fixed Ropes Path
Certifications
Bio Suisse
Demeter
Since 1992