Gwäss

In 1984, Arthur and Andrea decided to set up the small family business, but the old location soon became too small. As the vineyard area grew larger and larger, they decided to build the current "Weinkeller zum Leyscher" in March 1988. In the same year, they were able to vinify their entire production in the new wine cellar for the first time.

They were delighted when their son Pascal joined the business in 2001 after completing his apprenticeship as a wine technologist. Thanks to the good family cooperation in the vineyard and in the wine cellar, where the wines are tasted together, they have already received several national and international awards.

The Varonier family lives with wine, wine is their passion and they grow with their experience every day. On around 3 hectares of vines, they exclusively process grapes from their own vineyards to produce wonderful wines. With the necessary respect for nature, passion and love, they create high-quality wines full of character. They are proud to be able to offer you an impressive range of different Valais wines, which will give you great pleasure thanks to their outstanding quality and value for money.

Would you want to drink a wine ‘of low quality, watery and sour’? This is exactly what this ‘original variety’ is said to be, but it has neither passed on these characteristics to its children and grandchildren, nor does the judgement apply to a modern wine from the variety described here.

Where the Heunisch or Gwäss (which is pronounced almost the same as the French Gouais [blanc]) really comes from will probably never be discovered. What is certain is that it comes from the East and arrived in Central Europe many centuries ago. However, DNA analyses have proven that Gwäss is the Casanova of vines. With this piquant saying, the scientist José Vouillamoz from Sion, who researches the genealogical analyses of vines, alludes to the many ‘children’ of Gwäss or Gouais blanc. It is the ‘father’ of around 80 grape varieties and is considered to be the oldest variety known by name in the world. Some of its ‘children’ became famous: Chardonnay, Gamay, Rheinriesling, Furmint and Blaufränkisch. Gwäss - also known as Heunisch - is a high-yielding powerhouse and has been crossed with over 100 grape varieties.

It was once used to deter grape thieves: ‘Gouais’ was synonymous with bad wine. Now the Gwäss variety is being planted again. Mainly here in Valais, but also in the Aosta Valley and in Germany.

What does the Gwäss smell and taste like? It is a pale yellow white wine that reveals clear lemon flavours on the nose, which can develop into grapefruit and green apple on the palate. There is also a delicate smoky note. But of course, the knowledge that you are drinking a sip of wine history, so to speak, and thinking about all the wine enjoyment we would have been denied without the Gwäss/Heunisch, leads to a truly sublime feeling and almost goosebumps when savouring it. Anyone who loves Riesling, Chardonnay and Blaufränkisch and co. should have savoured a Gwäss at least once...

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