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

Merlot 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.

Simon Maye et Fils ★ 4.2

Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Paien, Cornalin, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah10.0 haFounded 1948Maye family (Raphaël Maye, proprietor-vigneron)Winemaker Raphaël MayeBIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDLeytron/Chamoson

Family cellar in St-Pierre-de-Clages founded in 1948, farming 10 hectares across the Chamoson and Ardon terraces. Bio Suisse certified organic, led today by Raphaël Maye.

Tasting: By appointment only: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 17:30, Saturday 9:00 to 12:00, May through October.

Tip: Visits are by appointment only; ask about the Paien and Humagne Rouge bottlings.

Les Fils de René Favre, John et Mike Favre ★ 4.3

Fendant, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah8.0 haFounded 1962Favre family (John and Mike Favre)Winemaker John and Mike FavreLeytron/Chamoson

Third-generation family cellar in Chamoson, active since 1962 and rooted in René Favre's 1946 start in winegrowing. Farms 8 hectares under integrated production, known for Petite Arvine.

Tasting: Tastings and domain visits by direct contact; the estate has hosted Caves Ouvertes open-cellar events.

Tip: Ask about the Petite Arvine parcels, the grape this Chamoson cellar is best known for.

Cave La Romaine ★ 4.1

Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, SyrahJoël BriguetBIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDCoteaux de Sierre

Cellar in Flanthey near Sierre, led by Joël Briguet, with a barrel cellar built in 2012 for oak ageing. Bio Suisse certified organic, with a range from Fendant to sparkling wine.

Tasting: Open Monday to Friday 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:00, Saturday 9:30 to 17:00; online boutique also available.

Tip: The online boutique ships across Switzerland if you cannot reach the Flanthey cellar.

Domaine des Muses ★ 4.0

Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, SyrahFounded 1992Taramarcaz family (Nicole and Louis Taramarcaz, founders; son Robert Taramarcaz now runs the estate)Winemaker Robert TaramarcazSierre/Salgesch

Family winery on the Ile Falcon in Sierre, founded in 1992 by Nicole and Louis Taramarcaz and now led by their son Robert. Grows Fendant, Petite Arvine, Cornalin and Syrah.

Tasting: By appointment (sur rendez-vous); capacity up to 100 people; German, English and French offered.

Tip: Ask about the late-summer Festival des Muses, a wine and art event held on site.

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.

Maurice Zufferey ★ 3.9

Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Petite Arvine, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Cornalin, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, SyrahFounded 1982Maurice Zufferey and son Adrien ZuffereyWinemaker Maurice ZuffereySierre/Salgesch

Family cellar in Sierre founded in 1982 by Maurice Zufferey and joined by his son Adrien in 2016, making Fendant, Petite Arvine, Cornalin and Syrah among others.

Tasting: Cellar and vineyard visits and tasting packages; open Friday 13:30 to 18:00 and Saturday 09:00 to 12:00, other days by appointment; capacity 50.

Tip: Open Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings; other days are by appointment only.

Les Fils de Charles Favre ★ 4.1

Chardonnay, Cornalin, Ermitage, Fendant, Gamay, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Humagne Rouge, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Merlot, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Pinot Noir, SyrahFounded 1944Favre family (Charles Favre, founder, and sons René-Pierre, Benjamin, Hanny and Jean-Pierre Favre)Sion

Sion house founded in 1944 by Charles Favre and his three sons and still family run, with a tasting space, Espace F, opened in 2023 on the Place de la Planta.

Tasting: Espace F tasting space, opened summer 2023: cellar visits, vineyard tours and tasting packages; Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 18:00, Saturday 10:00 to 17:00; capacity 80.

Tip: Drop by Espace F on Place de la Planta for a walk-in tasting in central Sion.

Cave Emery ★ 4.1

AOC ValaisFendant, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Diolinoir, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Humagne RougeFounded 1954Saint-Leonard

Family cellar in Ayent producing about 28 AOC Valais wines from Fendant to Diolinoir, founded in 1954. Tastings and meals also take place in the underground cave at Saint-Leonard.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment for up to 60 people, including vineyard tours and cellar tastings; the estate also hosts tastings and meals in the Saint-Leonard underground cave. Two rentable vineyard huts are available in season.

Tip: Ask about a tasting in the Saint-Leonard underground lake cave, a short drive from Ayent.

Domaine Cornulus ★ 4.0

Fendant, Amigne, Ermitage, Humagne Blanche, Petite Arvine, Heida, Cornalin, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, SyrahFamilles Reynard et VaroneBIO SUISSE CERTIFIEDSion

Organic Bio Bourgeon certified estate in Savièse above Sion, run by the Reynard and Varone families, producing Fendant, Amigne, Cornalin and other Valais varietals on limestone parcels.

Tasting: Vinotheque tastings Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings and afternoons, and Saturday mornings; groups up to about 70 people; French, German and English spoken.

Tip: Visit the vinotheque Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for a tasting without booking ahead.

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.

Albert Mathier & Söhne ★ 3.8

Syrah, Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Merlot, Petite Arvine, Heida, Chardonnay, MalvoisieFounded 1918Mathier familyWinemaker Amédée MathierSierre/Salgesch

Third-generation family cellar in Salgesch led by Amédée Mathier, founded in 1918 by Albert Mathier, producing Syrah, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge and other Valais varietals.

Tasting: Experience-tasting voucher for two bookable at the cellar in Salgesch.

Tip: Book the two-person experience-tasting voucher online before visiting the Salgesch cellar.

Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG ★ 4.3

AOC ValaisAmigne, Chardonnay, Ermitage, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Gamaret, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah45.0 haAdrian and Diego MathierSierre/Salgesch

Family-run 45-hectare estate in Salgesch spanning Turtmann to Chamoson, bottling some 60 wines under the Nouveau Salquenen label, with tasting rooms also in Interlaken and Hochdorf.

Tasting: Guided tastings, vineyard walks and cellar tours in Salgesch, with additional tasting rooms in Interlaken and Hochdorf; on-site Restaurant Barrique and B&B Vino Veritas.

Tip: The Salgesch site has its own restaurant and B&B, better for a full day than a quick stop.

Cave Saint-Philippe ★ 3.9

Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Petite Arvine, Riesling, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah7.0 haFounded 1987Philippe ConstantinWinemaker Philippe ConstantinSierre/Salgesch

Family cellar in Salgesch farming seven hectares since 1987, run by the Constantin family, producing Fendant, Cornalin, Diolinoir and other Valais varietals, with organic conversion underway.

Tasting: Tastings at the Salgesch cellar Monday to Friday mornings and afternoons and Saturday mornings, plus tastings at the customer's home by request; B&B available through an affiliated property.

Tip: Ask about the at-home tasting option if you are staying nearby rather than visiting the cellar.

Imesch Vins ★ 3.9

Fendant, Petite Arvine, Johannisberg, Sauvignon Blanc, Heida, Ermitage, Malvoisie, Cornalin, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, SyrahFounded 1898Rouvinez family (Imesch joined the Rouvinez group in 2003)Sierre/Salgesch

Sierre house founded in 1898 by Léopold and Marie Imesch, farming vineyards over 50 years old in the Rhone plain. Its wines are now presented alongside Domaines Rouvinez at Géronde.

Tasting: Since January 2026 Imesch wines are presented at the Domaines Rouvinez site on the Colline de Géronde in Sierre, alongside the Rouvinez range, after the previous Imesch vinotheque on the west side of town closed at the end of 2025.

Tip: The old Imesch vinotheque closed in 2025; find the wines at the Rouvinez site on Colline de Géronde.

Maison Gilliard ★ 4.0

Chardonnay, Ermitage, Fendant, Heida, Johannisberg, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Durize75.0 haFounded 1885Sion

Sion house founded in 1885 by Edmond Gilliard, home of the Dole des Monts and Fendant Les Murettes labels, farming around 75 hectares and pouring in its own Vinotheque.

Tasting: Guided tastings at the Vinotheque in Sion, weekdays 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 16:00, plus a blend-your-own Dole workshop at CHF 40 per person.

Tip: The CHF 40 blend-your-own Dole session is more hands-on than a standard tasting flight.

Germanier Cave du Tunnel ★ 4.2

Amigne, Chardonnay, Fendant, Heida, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Malvoisie, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon30.0 haFounded 1968Conthey

Conthey cellar of 30 hectares founded in 1968 by the oenologist Jacques Germanier, working Amigne, Petite Arvine and Cornalin alongside its traditional-method Brut.

Tasting: Reservation-only tastings at the Conthey cellar booked online, weekdays 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:00, Saturday by appointment, with carnotzet rental for groups.

Tip: Ask about the Signature bottlings, labelled by Swiss artists, when you book a cellar visit.

Domaines Rouvinez ★ 4.3

Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Ermitage, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gamaret, JohannisbergFounded 1945Rouvinez family, fourth generationSierre/Salgesch

Fourth-generation family estate on the Colline de Geronde above Sierre, working ten domains between Loeche and Fully, with Petite Arvine, Ermitage, Cornalin and Syrah anchoring the range.

Tasting: Free self-guided visit of the Colline de Geronde site, plus a commented tasting hosted by a family member.

Tip: The Geronde hill site can be walked without booking, or reserved as a commented tasting led by a family member.

Cave du Chevalier Bayard ★ 4.0

Fendant, Humagne Blanche, Johannisberg, Muscat, Petite Arvine, Pinot Blanc, Gouais, Cornalin, Diolinoir, Gamay, Humagne Rouge, Merlot, Pinot Noir, SyrahVaren

Family cellar at Varen on the slope above the Pfyn forest, bottling the rare old Valais white Gouais beside Humagne Blanche, Cornalin, Diolinoir and Pinot Noir.

Tasting: Tastings, group offers and excursion packages, with art vernissages in the cave. Tuesday and Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, the last Saturday of each month 11:00 to 17:00, other days on request.

Tip: Gouais is rarely bottled on its own anywhere; the cave opens Tuesday and Friday, plus the last Saturday of the month.

Cave de l'Etat du Valais, Domaine de Chateauneuf ★ 3.9

Fendant, Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Gamay, Merlot, Syrah, Cornalin3.5 haCanton of Valais, Service de l'agricultureSion

The canton of Valais farms this 3.5 hectare estate on dry stone terraces at Chateauneuf, where Valais Merlot was planted in 1931, and still bottles it beside Fendant and Cornalin.

Tasting: Espace Merlot point of sale and tasting, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 17:00. Dry stone walling courses run on the estate terraces.

Tip: Espace Merlot keeps weekday office hours only, so plan the visit around a working day rather than a weekend.

Vinotheque Domaine Cornulus ★ 4.0

Fendant, Merlot, SyrahWalk-ins welcomeSion

Domaine Cornulus grows Fendant, Merlot and Syrah under biodynamic and Bio Suisse standards on the Saviese hillside above Sion, and pours them in a small vinotheque.

Tip: The vinotheque keeps limited hours, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday plus Saturday mornings, so check before driving up.

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