14 September 2020
Awaken your senses and immerse yourself in vineyards that are still bathed in sunshine. Whether you’re a wine buff or simply an epicurean, you’ll appreciate the many experiences on offer this autumn from winemakers that are ready to share their universe with you: help with the grape harvest, visit the Château de Vaas and taste their fine wines.
Valais Wine Tour, founded by Catherine Antille, offers many different walks in the vineyards and other wine-related experiences.
Hello Catherine, thanks for speaking to us! We’d like to get to know you better…could you describe yourself in a few words? You’re truly a local! Your family have been around tourism for generations, is that right?
Yes, that’s right, my grandfather was Louis Antille, one of the founders of the resort. He built and ran the first hotel here, in 1893, the Hotel du Parc à Montana. My father built, and then managed alongside my mother, the Hôtel du Mt-Blanc at Plans-Mayens (Le Crans today), that’s where I was born, and where I lived until the age of 16.
Have you always been drawn to the world of wine? We usually imagine, perhaps wrongly, that it’s a predominantly male environment? What is it like being a woman in the world of wine? Is it another hurdle to deal with, or on the contrary, is it a strength?
My grandfather on my mother’s side was a winemaker in Granges, I always liked hanging around in the wine cellars. And of course wine was a central feature in my parents’ restaurant, we talked about the great bottles served in gastronomy, but we also discussed things over a glass of white at the Café du Mont-Blanc… Later, I trained as a mountain guide, and had classes about the vineyards and wine, and I was enthralled. More than the fact of being a woman, the peculiarity was perhaps more that I was born at 1,700m and was interested in this other world down in the valley. I went on to train for the WSET diploma in Paris and London, up to level 4, which is the level below Master of Wine, and there wasn’t any prejudice against women. In Valais women are very well-known in the world of wine. It’s perhaps more difficult to have our voice heard outside of the professional environment.
What is Valais Wine Tours and what original or unusual activities do you offer?
The concept of VWT is firstly walking in our wonderful vineyards. The surrounding nature tells us so much, about biodiversity as much as the history of Valais and its inhabitants. After an excursion in the vineyards, we end with a visit to a wine cellar, and meet a winemaker that introduces us to his wines. I also like to offer "my chronicles of vineyards and wine" in unusual and different locations. We browse the history of vineyards and wine in Valais and worldwide in a more anecdotal way, through a wine tasting of the region’s most iconic wines. I also offer excursions on the Bisse de Lens and the Bisse du Rho, followed by a tasting of a few local varieties.
You’re the founder of Valais Wine Tours, how did you come up with this idea? Is it a vocation that came to you immediately or did the idea grow on you before it blossomed?
After I had a snowboard accident, I had to take things easy physically; for a few years, skiing and mountain guiding was out of the question. So I trained as a heritage guide at UNGE, and for my dissertation I chose the subject: "The History of Vineyards and Wine on a walk…". Later, as I was guiding a group from one of the most famous wine cellars in Australia, I realised that I had gaps in my knowledge of oenology and world wines, hence the international WSET training. Finally, I brought together the three areas that I’ve trained in, and which complement each other perfectly, to create a new product: Valais Wine Tours. Everything is intertwined in Valais!
What are the characteristics of this region in terms of wine production? How do we sense or see this in the characteristics of our wine in Valais?
The main characteristic of Valais is its multitude of micro-terroirs: the soil and the subsoil vary depending on the region, so whilst we find limestone in the Salquenen region, the rock around Chamoson is granite, these factors combined with the different exposure, as well as the varying altitude of the vineyards, means there is a huge variety of grapes. There are over 50 in Valais. Commercially speaking, it’s a little complicated for the consumer, who can get a little lost, however it means that we can enjoy wonderful, long wine tasting sessions! Personally, I’m very fond of the native varieties, such as Petite Arvine, Humagne Blanche and Cornalin.
What do you feel about the Crans-Montana region and about Valais in general ? Do you feel a deep attachment to this land?
I live in Lens today, I love all the different altitudes in the region… I love introducing it to visitors, showing them the peaks, the bisses and the villages, ending up in the vineyards with a little wine tasting in a cellar. I’ve travelled a lot, backpacking around over 80 countries, and I like to return to Valais and see it through the eyes of a traveller who is discovering the region, my travels continue in Valais, and I’m happy to be able to taste the best wines in the world once again!
What is your favourite place in Crans-Montana, your secret spot? Do you have a place to share with us?
I have a few "eagle nest" spots, they’re generally exposed, on overhangs over big drops, and with the most beautiful views, as well as being very peaceful… I think I’m going to keep them secret…
Tell us about your best memories in Crans-Montana, an anecdote, something significant and positive to do with your relationship with this region?
I love to wait until the ski pistes close, and hurtle down Bellalui and Chetzeron at sunset…
As summer prepares to retreat, the unspoilt nature in Crans-Montana is ready to transform into a thousand different colours as we ease into autumn, bringing with it its own sparkling atmosphere. From the flamboyant vineyards in the valley to its nine lakes, six ‘bisses’, four waterfalls, glacier and forests, not forgetting its legendary sunshine, the Crans-Montana region has everything to offer nature lovers, not least a breathtaking panorama of the highest peaks in the Alps.
Find out more about stays and unique activities during the beautiful autumn season:
