The family winery Simon Maye & Fils was founded in 1948 by Simon Maye in Chamoson - with just four hectares of vines and the clear goal of prioritising quality over quantity. As a trained lawyer and career changer, he focussed on innovation early on: drip irrigation, low yields, international inspiration - and uncompromising respect for the terroir. Together with other winegrowers, he founded the Confrérie St-Théodule, an association dedicated to excellence in Valais viticulture.
His sons Axel and Jean-François joined the business in the late 1970s. They professionalised the cellar technology, expanded the vineyard area to over ten hectares and, as pioneers, planted the first Syrah vines in the region in 1983. Their uncompromising pursuit of quality and site typicity brought the winery international recognition - for example as Swiss Winemaker of the Year in 2004 and with multiple awards for the Syrah Vieilles Vignes.
Since 2015, Raphaël Maye, the third generation, has been running the winery with new vigour and biodynamic awareness. As a qualified oenologist, he pursues a clear, reductive style in the cellar, focussing on spontaneous fermentation, minimal intervention and the authentic expression of the soils from Chamoson to Ardon. His partner Nadine takes care of reception, sales and communication with sensitivity.
What remains is the signature of a family business that has been building on finesse, precision and inner conviction for over 75 years - and that reinterprets a piece of Valais wine culture with every vintage.
