Where to taste Cabernet Franc in Valais: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

Cabernet Franc estates in Valais

Domaine Jean-René Germanier ★ 4.7

Amigne, Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Gamaret, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc34.0 haFounded 1896Germanier and Besse families (Jean-René Germanier, Gilles Besse)Winemaker Richard RiandBIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDArdon/Vetroz

Family domaine in Vétroz founded in 1896 and farmed under Bio Suisse organic certification across 34 hectares. Amigne de Vétroz and the Cayas Syrah are the house specialities.

Tasting: Reception, sales and tastings Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:30, Friday 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:00, Saturday 10:00 to 13:00. Cellar visits and tastings available by request.

Tip: Book ahead for a cellar tasting built around the Amigne de Vétroz and the Cayas Syrah.

Provins ★ 3.9

Amigne, Ermitage, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Divico750.0 haSion

Sion cooperative drawing fruit from about 1,500 growers across roughly 750 hectares of Valais vineyard, bottling some 120 wines that run from Fendant and Johannisberg to Cornalin.

Tasting: Provins operates boutique wine bars across Valais and offers a personal sommelier contact for group tastings; visit format varies by location.

Tip: A dependable stop for a broad flight of native Valais grapes at every price point.

Cave Fin Bec ★ 4.1

Amigne, Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet SauvignonMathier family (Yvonne and Yvo Mathier)BIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDSion

Family-run cellar in the Sion district since 2008 under Yvonne and Yvo Mathier, certified Bio Suisse organic, producing Valais classics, blends and sparkling wine from Amigne to Cornalin.

Tasting: On-site and online tastings, aperitif tasting boxes, private events and team-building tastings; contact via the site's Kontakt page.

Tip: Try the sparkling Mousseux alongside the estate's Cornalin and Petite Arvine.

Gregor Kuonen ★ 4.0

Chardonnay, Ermitage, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Lafnetscha, Malvoisie, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamaret, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet SauvignonKuonen family, operating as Caveau de Salquenen AG (François Kuonen, founding partner; Patrick Revey, director since 2016)Winemaker Larissa KuonenSierre/Salgesch

Upper Valais cave in Salgesch, run by the Kuonen family for four decades and directed today by Patrick Revey with Larissa Kuonen as oenologist. Range runs from Heida to Cornalin.

Tasting: Cellar and vineyard visits, tasting packages, cellar rental; Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:30, Saturday seasonal hours; capacity 50; German, English, French and Italian.

Tip: Ask for the Lafnetscha, one of the rare high-altitude Upper Valais white grapes.

Cave du Rhodan ★ 4.4

Chardonnay, Ermitage, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamaret, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, PinotageFounded 1962Mounir family (Olivier and Sandra Mounir), third generationWinemaker Olivier MounirBIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDSierre/Salgesch

Salgesch estate run by the Mounir family for three generations, Bio Suisse certified across its own parcels. Range runs from Fendant and Petite Arvine to Cornalin and Syrah.

Tasting: Tasting packages, vineyard hikes and virtual tastings; Monday to Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:00, Saturday seasonal; capacity 50.

Tip: Book the vineyard hike for context on the Salgesch terroir before the tasting itself.

Serge Roh, Cave Les Ruinettes ★ 4.2

AOC Valais, Grand Cru de Vétroz for select terroir winesAmigne, Petite Arvine, Ermitage, Fendant, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Cornalin, Cabernet Franc, GamaretFounded 1950Serge RohArdon/Vetroz

Family cellar in Vétroz dating to 1950, run by Serge Roh, working Amigne de Vétroz and other Grand Cru Vétroz terroir wines alongside a broader range of Valais reds and whites.

Tasting: Commented tastings in the cellar or outdoors depending on season, for individuals, groups, and private or corporate events; reservation recommended. Open Monday to Friday mornings and afternoons, Saturday by reservation.

Tip: Vétroz Amigne is the house speciality; ask about the barrel-aged late-harvest style.

Philippe Darioli ★ 3.9

Fendant, Humagne Blanche, Pinot Blanc, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Ermitage, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Cabernet Franc3.0 haPhilippe DarioliWinemaker Philippe DarioliLeytron/Chamoson

Three-hectare grower in Riddes with parcels in Leytron and Chamoson on limestone and schist soils, hand-farmed by owner Philippe Darioli across some fourteen Valais varietals.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the carnotzet in Riddes, for up to 20 people; cellar visits and vineyard tours offered in French, German and English.

Tip: Tastings happen in Darioli's own carnotzet in Riddes; call ahead, this is a one-person cellar.

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