A family of winemakers in Valais since 1945
For four generations, the Famille Rouvinez has cultivated vines in the heart of Valais. Balancing family tradition with a pioneering spirit, they craft wines that reflect the richness of Alpine terroirs and the evolution of know-how passed down from generation to generation.
The key moments in our history
The beginnings of the family adventure
Chrétien and Marcelline settle in Géronde and lay the first foundations of the family’s winemaking adventure.
Founding of the Rouvinez winery
Bernard and Hermine Rouvinez officially establish the winery in Géronde, marking the birth of the family business.
The third generation takes over the estate
Jean-Bernard and Dominique Rouvinez take over the management of the company and continue developing the family vineyard.
Birth of Tourmentin
First vintage of Tourmentin, the first Valais blend aged entirely in barrels, marking a major milestone in the history of wine in Valais.
A new cellar and an iconic estate
Inauguration of the barrel tunnel and acquisition of Domaine Château Lichten, a major terroir in the Valais vineyard.
Modernisation of the Géronde winery
The historic winery is fully renovated to combine winemaking tradition with modern technologies.
Creation of the Cœur de Domaines range
A collection of wines that highlights the emblematic grape varieties grown across the family’s different terroirs.
The fourth generation joins the adventure
Véronique, Frédéric and Philippe Rouvinez join the family business and continue its development.
Launch of the Nez Noir range
The Famille Rouvinez’s first organic wine, inspired by Valais’s emblematic sheep and by a commitment to sustainable viticulture.
A story of passion and passing on
The story of the Famille Rouvinez begins in 1945, when the first vines are cultivated with the ambition of producing authentic wines, deeply rooted in their terroir.
Over the decades, each generation has helped develop and refine this vision: understanding the soils, selecting the most suitable grape varieties, and revealing the unique character of Valais vineyards.
Today, this family passion is expressed through several estates and wines recognised for their precision and identity.
Four generations in the service of terroir
Passing on know-how lies at the heart of the family philosophy.
From vine to cellar, every stage of the work is based on careful observation of nature and a constant pursuit of balance between winemaking tradition and oenological innovation.
This family continuity helps preserve a long-term vision: producing wines that respect the terroir, the seasons, and future generations.
The Famille Rouvinez
Véronique Besson-Rouvinez
Philippe Rouvinez
Frédéric Rouvinez
Jean-Bernard Rouvinez
Dominique Rouvinez
Véronique
Besson-Rouvinez
His background
Daughter of Jean-Bernard and Claudine Rouvinez, and sister of Frédéric and Philippe, Véronique joined the family business in 2005 after studying food science engineering at ETH Zürich.
His role in the company
Today, she oversees the estate’s winemaking, from grape reception to ageing in the cellar. Her work also involves continuously optimising production methods to improve the precision and quality of the wines.
His signature
Bringing a scientific, rigorous approach to winemaking while preserving the expression of Valais terroirs.
Philippe
Rouvinez
His background
Son of Jean-Bernard and Claudine Rouvinez, and brother of Véronique and Frédéric, Philippe joined the family business in 2013 after studying economics at the Université de Saint-Gall (HEC St-Gall).
His role in the company
Today, he leads marketing and sales activities and contributes to developing the family’s wines in Swiss and international markets.
His signature
Building bridges between family tradition and today’s wine lovers, so that the estate’s wines can be discovered far beyond the Valais vineyard.
Frédéric
Rouvinez
His background
Son of Jean-Bernard and Claudine Rouvinez, and brother of Véronique and Philippe, Frédéric joined the family business in 2009 after studying at HEC Lausanne.
His role in the company
He oversees the company’s administrative and financial aspects while actively contributing to the management and development of the family vineyards in Valais.
His signature
Maintaining the balance between managing the business and respecting the land, convinced that the quality of a wine always begins in the vineyard.
Jean-Bernard
Rouvinez
His background
Son of the founders Bernard and Hermine Rouvinez and brother of Dominique, Jean-Bernard joined the family business in 1970 after training as an oenologist and viticulturist at Changins.
His role in the company
Together with his brother Dominique, he contributed to the estate’s development and to the evolution of winemaking methods that have shaped the winery’s history.
His signature
Passing on the experience and vision that have shaped the estate, while supporting the new generations as the vineyard continues to evolve.
Dominique
Rouvinez
His background
Son of the founders Bernard and Hermine Rouvinez and brother of Jean-Bernard, Dominique also joined the family business in 1970 after studying oenology at Changins.
His role in the company
Today, he oversees the tasting committee, which ensures the consistency and quality of the wines produced by the family.
His signature
Being the guardian of the house style, ensuring that each vintage remains true to the identity of Rouvinez wines.
Pioneers of innovation in Valais
While tradition is essential, innovation is also part of the family’s DNA.
In 1983, the creation of Tourmentin marked a major milestone in the history of Valais wine: it became the first wine in the canton to be aged entirely in barrels.
A few years later, the commitment to responsible viticulture was strengthened through the adoption of sustainable practices and the gradual development of organic viticulture.
These visionary choices helped position the Famille Rouvinez among the key players in the Swiss wine landscape.
A family committed to Valais
Beyond wine, the family maintains a deep connection with its region.
The estates extend across several terroirs in Valais, each with its own geological and climatic identity. This diversity makes it possible to cultivate a wide range of emblematic grape varieties such as Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
Each wine thus becomes the expression of a place, a climate and a know-how.
Looking to the future
Today, the new generation continues this family adventure with the same high standards: preserving the terroirs, developing sustainable viticulture, and continuing to showcase Valais wines.
Between heritage and innovation, the Famille Rouvinez writes a new chapter in its story each year.