Wines  / Switzerland / Domaine Pierre-Luc Leyvraz

Domaine Pierre-Luc Leyvraz - Famille Jomini Successeurs
​Switzerland

Pierre-Luc Leyvraz took over 3.3 hectares of vines from his father, whose family’s holdings were split between agricultural crops and vines. The estate is partitioned into ten steep parcels a few hundred meters apart along the Lavaux terraces. The soil formation in the Lavaux region dates back some 25 million years, when the geologic fault that became Lake Geneva and the Rhône Valley was created by the folding of the earth’s crust during the uprising of the Alps. Then the cycle of successive glaciers cut into this region's slopes, changing the appearance of the landscape and depositing soils brought from the Alps. The soil of the vineyards has been in place since the last glacier retreated more than 15,000 years ago. The stone walls supporting the terraced vineyards here were built starting in the 10th century by monks using the rocks deposited by the glaciers.

photo © Charles Neal

Today, the soil composition of the parcels that Leyvraz took over varies somewhat, but high limestone content is a constant. He has since expanded the domaine’s holdings to 3.5 hectares, and also begun buying grapes from trusted growers. It has been said of Pierre-Luc that he “prunes his vines as if they were valuable old bonsais”, and this perfectly sums up his artistic approach to viticulture. He meticulously farms (using lutte raisonée) the mosaic of steep plots on the estate, taking advantage of the exceptional terroir to hand craft wines worthy of their Grand Cru status. The harvest is 100% manual (how could it be otherwise with such steep vineyards?). Wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged in cuve, then bottled unfined and with a light filtration. With an annual production of a scant 30,000 bottles of St. Saphorin Grand Cru and Dézaley Grand Cru, this domaine is truly one of the references of Swiss wine production.

A family legacy continues

​Pierre-Luc Leyvraz, a meticulous craftsman refining the treasures of Chasselas, is entrusting his vineyard and know-how to his neighbors, the Jomini family. Constant and Sophie had been searching for a way to include their two sons in the family estate, and Pierre-Luc’s proposal to pass on his vineyard and his name was met with great enthusiasm.

Pierre-Luc Leyvraz (au centre) avec la famille Jomini successeurs

photo © Farinaz Agharabi

Pierre-Luc Leyvraz Saint Saphorin Grand Cru "Les Blassinges" 
The name of Pierre-Luc’s 100% Chasselas cuvée, Les Blassinges, comes from the name of the parcel where the estate’s first vines were planted during the 1950s. Today this wine is a subtle blend of several parcels, all located in the heart of the St. Saphorin appellation. The wine from this outstanding terroir is fermented and aged in tank where it passes through malolactic fermentation. Afterwards it evolves on its lees during which time it gains its rich flavor complexity.
This exquisite wine should be served chilled as a refreshing, crisp apéritif, or accompanied by fish, poultry or cheese.
 
“Vaud veteran Pierre-Luc Leyvraz renders a single Chasselas bottling from a mosaic of parcels, committing a number of winemaking fashion faux-pas along the way.  I'll single out the St-Saphorin Les Blassinges whose silken amalgam of almond, quince, green tea, iris, and honeysuckle has haunted me ever since trying it.”—David Schildnecht, The Wine Advocate

Pierre-Luc Leyvraz DéZaley Grand Cru

​Grape Variety: Chasselas
Appellation: Dézaley Grand Cru AOC
Plot: Dézaley Grand Cru
Vintage: 2024
Alcohol Content: 12.4%
Bottle Size: 70 cl
Serving Temperature: 10–12 °C
Cellaring Potential: 1–10 years

On the steep slopes of Dézaley, where terraces are held by centuries-old stone walls, lies an exceptional terroir unlike any other. From this unique setting is born a wine of remarkable character: its mineral intensity shines through today and will grow ever more profound with time.

Pierre-Luc Leyvraz and Constant Jomini - Photo © Farinaz Agharabi