Marie Thérèse Chappaz

History of the domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

The history of the domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz begins in the 1940s, when Maurice Troillet, Marie-Thérèse Chappaz's great-uncle, built a house in Fully to host events and produce his wines. This residence, located at the lieu-dit La Liaudisaz, became the heart of the estate. In 1987, Marie-Thérèse, then 27 years old, took over this family legacy, which initially comprised one and a half hectares of vines. At the time, she envisaged a career as a midwife, but a spark of inspiration led her to embrace viticulture. Trained at the École de Changins, she honed her skills at the federal research station before embarking on the adventure.

In 1997, a visit to Domaine Chapoutier in Tain-l'Hermitage marked a turning point: Marie-Thérèse decided to convert her estate to biodynamic farming, an approach certified by Demeter in 2003. Since then, she has never stopped innovating, expanding her vineyard to 10 hectares and earning international recognition. Named "Winemaker of the Year" by Gault & Millau in 1996, "Icon of Swiss Wine" in 2016 and "Lady of Wine" in 2015 at the Villa d'Este Wine Symposium, Marie-Thérèse Chappaz is today a legendary figure in Swiss wine, celebrated for her exceptional cuvées.

Terroirs and Vines of the domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

The domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz spans 10 hectares, divided into micro-plots across the villages of Fully, Charrat, Leytron and Chamoson, in the Valais Rhône valley. These terroirs, situated between 450 and 900 metres above sea level, enjoy ideal climatic conditions, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and only 600 mm of rainfall. The soils, varied in nature, include granitic land at Fully, often covered with loess, and calcareous soils at Charrat and Leytron, offering a unique diversity for the cultivation of grape varieties.

In Fully, the steep slopes of Les Claives and the Combe d'Enfer, with their sometimes vertiginous gradients, are among the most difficult to work in the world. The dry-stone terraces, emblematic of the Valais, are home to grape varieties such as Petite Arvine, Ermitage (Marsanne) and Syrah. Charrat, on the left bank of the Rhône, is ideal for Pinot Noir thanks to its calcareous soil and late sunshine. Leytron and Chamoson, with their limestone soils, welcome grape varieties such as Cornalin and Humagne Rouge. Marie-Thérèse also cultivates fruit trees (peach trees, fig trees, olive trees) to encourage biodiversity, strengthening the natural balance of her vines.

Winemaking at the domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

The winemaking philosophy of Marie-Thérèse Chappaz is rooted in absolute respect for the terroir and minimal intervention. Having converted to biodynamic farming since 1997, she eschews synthetic products, using herbal teas (nettle, willow, chamomile) and biodynamic preparations such as horn manure to nourish her vines. In the cellar, she favours indigenous yeasts, avoids sugar and enzymes, and limits the use of sulphites, which are sometimes absent in certain cuvées. Copper, used against downy mildew, is reduced to less than 3 kg per hectare, and natural mine sulphur combats powdery mildew.

Each vintage is vinified with care, respecting the particularities of the climate and the grape varieties. The reds undergo long macerations and regular punch-downs, while the whites, particularly the sweet wines, are crafted from overripe grapes for a natural concentration. This approach, combined with traditional "corkscrew" pruning for certain grape varieties such as Marsanne, guarantees authentic wines that reflect their terroir with remarkable purity.

The Cuvées of the domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz

The domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz offers a varied range of cuvées, each expressing a specific terroir and grape variety. Here is a selection of its emblematic wines:

Fendant La Liaudisaz

From the Chasselas grape variety in Fully, this lively and aromatic white wine, grown on loess-over-granite soils, is perfect to accompany convivial dishes such as fish from Lake Geneva.

Grain Noir

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, inspired by Bordeaux wines, grown at La Liaudisaz. This structured red offers aromas of black fruits and a fine length on the palate.

Grain Cinq

Produced at the Combe d'Enfer and Les Claives, this unique white wine marries five grape varieties (Petite Arvine, Ermitage, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Païen). Its complex notes of citrus and flowers make it a gastronomic wine.

Grain Ermitage Président Troillet

From old Marsanne vines at Les Claives, this rich and rounded white, with aromas of pear and honey, is ideal with poultry dishes or hard cheeses.

Grain Gamay Vieilles Vignes

Grown at Les Claives, this fruity and elegant red reveals notes of cherry and a silky texture, perfect for rustic dishes.

Grain par Grain Petite Arvine

This legendary 2020 cuvée, awarded 100 Parker points, is a sweet wine made from overripe grapes at Les Claives. Its aromas of candied lemon, rhubarb and mirabelle plum pair beautifully with citrus-based desserts.

Grain Syrah Président Troillet 

A powerful Syrah from Les Claives, with notes of black fruits and spices, ideal with red meats.

Humagne Blanche 

This rare white, grown at Les Claives, offers floral aromas and a mineral freshness, perfect with shellfish.

Grain Sauvage 

A Humagne Rouge from Planche Billon, produced in magnum, with notes of humus and violet, a reflection of the arid terroir.

Grain Arvine La Louye 

A Petite Arvine grown on alluvial soils at La Louye, this dry white reveals aromas of citrus and a fine acidity.

Fendant Coteaux de Plamont 

From the Plamont hillside, this Fendant offers fruity notes and an ideal freshness for aperitif.

Grain Mariage 

A blend of Cornalin and Humagne Rouge from Leytron, this full-bodied and rustic red is perfect for game dishes.

Grain Pinot Champ Dury, Charrat, Les Esserts, Les Dahrres, Chamoson 

These Pinot Noir cuvées, grown on calcareous soils, offer aromas of red fruits and a rare elegance, ideal with refined dishes.

Grain Nature 

A natural wine from Charrat, crafted without added sulphites, for a pure expression of Pinot Noir.

The domaine de Marie-Thérèse Chappaz embodies the excellence of Swiss viticulture, driven by the vision and talent of Marie-Thérèse Chappaz. Her wines, born from unique terroirs and cultivated biodynamically, are a celebration of the Valais and its emblematic grape varieties. Explore our selection of cuvées and immerse yourself in the world of a winemaker who redefines the standards of Swiss wine, with passion and respect for nature.