Marie-Thérèse Chappaz’s vines stretch out over 12 hectares around the villages of Fully, Charrat, Leytron and Chamoson. The very specific climatic and geological conditions that exist here (more than 2000 sunshine hours per annum, 600mm of rain and granitic soils at Fully), combined with local grape varieties such as Petite Arvine, Humagne Rouge and Cornalin or others such as Syrah and Marsanne, well adapted to this terroir of the upper Rhone valley, create idyllic conditions for producing unique wines. Marie-Thérèse took over the family vineyards in 1987 and produced her first vintage in 1988. Her wines are a reflection of her approach to the environment and the passion that drives her in search of authenticity and quality. It was after visiting a specialist in biodynamics in 1997 that Marie-Thérèse resolved to convert her estate to biodynamic viticulture, consistent with her philosophy of respect for the environment, living beings and the terroir. It was a Damascene moment. "Biodynamic agriculture is the agriculture of the future which will contribute to the well-being of the earth". She puts the emphasis on listening to nature, in all its respirations and silences. A respect that translates into biodynamic practices, where the vine is in harmony with the cosmos and everyday actions are undertaken with modesty. With patience and humility, Marie-Thérèse perpetually seeks to put her personal stamp on her wines, to imbue them with history, terroir and hope. She believes in minimum intervention and less and less use of inputs. No synthetic treatments or fertilizers are used in the vines. Only tisanes, home-made compost, organic matter and biodynamic preparations. And in the cellar, no sugar or enzymes but indigenous yeasts and very limited quantities of sulphur, and not in all the wines. Plus a great deal of good humour…. in 1996, Marie-Thérèse was named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by Gault & Millau. She figured in their top 100 best winemakers and was also nominated ‘Icon of Swiss Wine’ in 2016 for her outstanding engagement and contribution to the quality and reputation of Swiss wines. On 8 November 2015 at the Villa d’Este World Wine Symposium in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, she received the Prix d’Excellence Lalique-Villa d’Este “Lady of Wine” 2015 from the hands of François Mauss. And in 2017 she was elected “ValaiStar” as personality of the year in the Valais. These prestigious awards are a just recognition of her exceptional career. Wine & Hospitality Projects presents a selection of the jewels that are Marie-Thérèse Chappaz’s wines, and are proud to include her as ambassador of the philosophy that we share and wish to promote.
