Geneva Tradition, Natural Vision
In Gy on the left bank of Lake Geneva, where the Chambet stream waters the vines, Anthony Fonjallaz tends 10 hectares across 8 scattered parcels. Two distinct expressions: Les Réserves honoring classical Geneva heritage, and Les Cuvées Libres — zero-additive, zero-sulfur natural wines that capture the rebellious spirit of the new generation.
From 1921 to Cuvées Libres
The Fonjallaz family has been farming in Gy since 1921, but it was Anthony's father, Gérald, who made the decisive shift in 1987. Breaking with the cooperative tradition that dominated Geneva winemaking, Gérald and Marion Fonjallaz began bottling their own wines — starting with 1,000 liters, then gradually expanding the estate's independent identity.
After training in watchmaking and a transformative backpacking journey, Anthony felt the call to return to his origins. From 2014 to 2017, he studied at Changins, Switzerland's renowned viticulture school, while apprenticing with Bertrand Favre (organic pioneer in Valais) and Christian Rossel (biodynamic trailblazer in Neuchâtel). He arrived home in summer 2017; six months later, Domaine du Chambet began its conversion to organic viticulture. By January 2021, Anthony officially took the reins, carrying the Bio Suisse certification achieved in 2020 as both shield and standard.
"Named after the stream that runs alongside its vines, Domaine du Chambet produces organic wines through two ranges — Les Réserves with traditional vintages, and Les Cuvées Libres, where the originality and spontaneity of natural wines dominate."
— Geneva Tourism
Left Bank, Scattered Parcels
The estate sprawls across 10 hectares in 8 distinct parcels scattered through the villages surrounding Gy, on the left bank of Lake Geneva. This is Chasselas country — the noble Swiss grape that expresses itself differently here than in Valais, finding a mineral, saline character in Geneva's limestone and clay-limestone soils.
Anthony's approach walks the line between tradition and innovation. No herbicides for years (his father had already abandoned synthetics), reduced tilling, cover crops thriving between rows. The vineyards host bees and beneficial insects in a biodiversity that makes the estate feel more like a garden than a factory. Since 2021, all production is cellared on-site, ending the cooperative relationship entirely — a complete domaine-bottled philosophy.
Limestone and clay-limestone soils, influenced by the proximity of Lake Geneva. The Chambet stream (which gives the domain its name) runs through the parcels, creating a unique microclimate. Cool nights preserve acidity; sunny days build ripeness in this protected lakeside environment.
Chasselas reigns supreme — the flagship white of Geneva. Gamay and Pinot Noir for reds. Pinot Gris for macerated ambers. Experimental plantings of Garanoir and Gamaret (Swiss crossings) and the rare Mara grape. Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc add aromatic complexity.
Two Ranges, One Estate
Domaine du Chambet's genius lies in its duality. Anthony maintains two distinct lines: Les Réserves represents the classical tradition — precise, terroir-driven wines that speak to Geneva's heritage and satisfy conventional palates. These are the wines that built the domain's reputation over decades.
Then there are Les Cuvées Libres — the "free cuvées" where Anthony expresses his generational shift. Zero additives, no added sulfur (<10mg/L), native yeast fermentation, unfined, unfiltered. These wines carry bright, colorful labels by artist Stéphanie Peck and represent the spontaneous, original side of natural winemaking. It's a dual identity that honors the past while racing toward the future.
Swiss Precision Meets Natural Freedom
The two-range system allows Domaine du Chambet to serve both traditional Geneva restaurants and natural wine bars in Brooklyn. Anthony's training shows in the technical precision — even the zero-sulfur wines demonstrate stability and clarity that challenge preconceptions about natural wine.
Art by Stéphanie Peck
Since the launch of Les Cuvées Libres in 2020, each bottle wears a distinctive visual signature. Artist Stéphanie Peck creates the bright, colorful labels that distinguish the natural range from the classic Reserves line. These aren't just wine labels — they're contemporary art pieces that reflect the chaotic beauty and spontaneous energy of zero-intervention winemaking.
The contrast is intentional: traditional labels for Les Réserves speak of heritage and continuity; Stéphanie Peck's vibrant art for Les Cuvées Libres announces something liberated, joyful, and radically alive. In a region known for conservative packaging, Domaine du Chambet's natural line stands out on shelves from Geneva to Paris.
"From 2020, he launched the Cuvées Libres at the family estate, a range of wines vinified without any additives nor added sulphur. The labels are bright and colourful, the work of artist Stéphanie Peck."
— More Than Wine
The Domaine du Chambet Wines
All wines are Bio Suisse certified, hand-harvested, and vegan. The Reserves line offers traditional Geneva expressions; the Cuvées Libres range represents zero-sulfur natural wines. The estate produces approximately 20,000 bottles annually from their 10 hectares, with the remaining production historically sold to cooperatives and regional winemakers (a practice Anthony is phasing out).