Domaine Gérald Clavien – The Soul of Valais Between Tradition and Modernity

Located in Miège, in the canton of Valais, Domaine Gérald Clavien (Cave des Deux Crêtes SA) stands as a reference in Swiss alpine viticulture. Gérald Clavien, a passionate and demanding winemaker, has been meticulously working for several decades on the steep and sunny slopes overlooking the Rhône Valley. His goal is clear: to precisely express the typicity of Valais grape varieties in their purest form.

The vineyard extends over about twenty hectares, spread over steep terroirs, between 500 and 900 meters in altitude. These poor and well-drained soils, composed of schists, limestone, and glacial moraines, allow for exceptional viticulture, with ideal conditions for the slow maturation of the grapes.

Philosophy and Methods

The estate is managed according to principles close to sustainable viticulture, with environmentally friendly practices. Treatments are limited, plowing is regular, and harvesting is entirely manual, often late, to promote optimal maturity.

In the cellar, the winemaking is precise, sober, and minimally interventionist. The whites are vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and minerality, while some cuvées see wood to bring richness and complexity. The reds, notably from Pinot Noir, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, or Syrah, undergo long macerations and are aged in barrels or tanks depending on the desired profile.

The Clavien style is distinguished by the clarity of aromas, the tension of the whites, and the silky yet expressive structure of the reds. The alpine identity is felt in every bottle, through wines that are straightforward, luminous, and often crafted for gastronomy.

Key Figure:

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  Gérald Clavien – Founder and cellar master, a discreet perfectionist, he is the artisan of a refined and sincere style.

  
  
  

Iconic Cuvées:

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  Petite Arvine: salinity, citrus, crystalline liveliness.

  
  
  
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  Païen (Savagnin Blanc): mineral, floral, typically Valaisan.

  
  
  
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  Cornalin: structured red, deep, with notes of black cherry and spices.

  
  
  
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  Humagne Rouge: wilder, with a rustic and sincere framework.

  
  
  
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  Syrah des Crêtes: elegant and spicy, with pure and straightforward fruit.