Wallis

More than a third of the entire Swiss wine produce is from Wallis, Switzerland’s driest canton. Vines grow on steep slopes at altitudes of 375 to 1100 m a.s.l. They thrive on exceptional climatic conditions, with enormous alterations in day-time and night-time temperatures, with hot, dry summers and föhn winds in autumn, and under the protection of the Alps surrounding them. Lots of manual work is required to cultivate mostly terraced areas with rather diverse soils. The main vine types include Pinot Noir, Chasselas (Fendant) and Gamay. Winegrowers in Wallis are also distinguished by their careful cultivation of many old and indigenous vine varieties such as Humagne Rouge, Cornalin and Heida.