SWISS WINE DISCOVERIES!

The holiday region of Heidiland is still one of the wine industry’s best kept secrets, home to the Pinot Noir World Champion Martin Donatsch from Malans, and the oldest still operating winery in Europe, Schloss Salenegg from Maienfeld. Also the homeland of the fairytale story about the little girl Heidi. Heidiland offers many small, innovative and friendly businesses that are repeatedly awarded on both a national and international level.

The holiday region of Heidiland and Bündner Herrschaft is one hour east of Zurich and offers ideal conditions for growing grapes due to the favorable climate and terroir. The largest contiguous vineyard area in the region is located in the Grisons. But even in the neighboring areas of the Rhine valley and Walensee you can find big wines produced with passion.

Unique historical sites

The Bündner Herrschaft: Boutique vineries with a long history

Still fairly unknown internationally, the Grisons is the best-known wine region for great Pinot Noir in Switzerland.  At only 349 hectares, more then 70 winemakers produce their wine. Most of them produce wine from 4.5 hectares in their own Torkel (wine cellar).

The premium wines grow at the southern slopes of the region along the river Rhine surrounded by the Alps – a must see for wine lovers.

Boutique wineries

Pinot Noir grows particularly well here on the calcareous soils. This territory is favored due to the southern wind called “Föhn,” which helps the maturing process. In fall 2010 and 2011 the region came to exceptional fame by young winemaker Martin Donatsch. Donatsch, from the winery Donatsch in Malans, was awarded as Pinot Noir World Champion for his Pinot Noir called “Passion.”  Donatsch is not the only winemaker who produces excellent wine in the Grisons.  National and international gold medals have been given to many of the regions enthusiastic producers. Each year more and more wine fans learn about the area.  Wine travellers have already spotted the Bündner Herrschaft to catch some of the rare bottles of grand wines. Most of the wines are not sold in stores, but only at the winery itself.

The Grisons’ Rhine Valley has a long tradition of winemaking. The Salenegg Castle in Maienfeld is the oldest operating wine estate in Europe. As early as 1068 “Herrschäftler” wines were grown and pressed in balance with nature in the Grisons’ Rhine Valley. Unlike today, where the red wines have enthusiasts’ attention, it all started with white wine. The so-called “Completer” was served after the monastic evening prayer. Red wine has only been in Bündner Herrschaft since Pinot Noir from France found its way here. Today, more than 40 varieties are grown here in exceptional quality. Other popular varieties to this area include: Riesling – Silvaner, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz. In the past, even the medieval and very demanding “Completer” has been found grown on a few vineyards here.

Restaurants in the middle of the vineyards

You can meet many of the winemakers in one of the many Torkels or during a walk through the hand-maintained vineyards. You can explore the wine cellars during fun and professional specialized tours with Wine Tours Switzerland.

Our winemakers: unique as their wines

As varied and diverse as the individual grape varieties such are the winemakers who day after day are devoted to the welfare of their plants, their grapes and the valuable grape juice. Many authentic stories are written here.  While exploring the local wineries you can find out how a former flight attendant put their suitcases in the corner and became a winemaker or how the silent star is actually not their great wine, but more than 20 different delicate vinegars.  Old family traditions are combined with the innovation of the younger generation who are taking risks to achieve high-quality iconic wines. You’ll see century-old store cellars filled with French oak barrels designed of star architects and find other great personalities in photography, racing cars, calligraphy and literature.

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Blog by Gian Carlo Casparis - Gian's Wine Blog
Wine Tours Switzerland - unique wine experiences!
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