Our region has talent: Cornonier & Lamon winery

Did you grow up here or did you choose to live here later on?

My parents and grandparents were originally from Lens, so I’m a true native. I’ve always had an attachment to this region. After working in education for several years, I finally turned to the profession of winemaker in the family cellar in Flanthey.

What are your interests? Are they closely or distantly related to your job?

I’m lucky enough to have interests which suit the place that I live. I like to be outside, in nature, cultivating the vines. I also enjoy different sports, skiing, hiking and golf. As well as this, I enjoy meeting and talking to people, something I used to enjoy doing when I worked in education. I enjoy contact with people and that has enabled me to develop hosting guests at the cellar.

So you work for the Cave Cordonier-Lamon. What led you to work here, and what do you love about your job?

Working in the cellar is a way of honouring my father’s work, of keeping the heritage alive and ensuring it continues. When I was younger, I used to help out in the vineyards, which gave me a good overall view of the work. It’s a really exciting and varied job: firstly there’s the contact with nature, then the processing of the product, but there’s also the contact with customers, wine tasting, sales and delivery. I certainly do something different every day.

What is special about your business and what do you think sets it apart from others?

Our strength is that we control production of our product from A to Z, from the grape to the bottle. Thanks to the wealth that our region offers, we adapt the grape variety so that it expresses its potential to the full. We’re also constantly trying to innovate in order to create exceptional wines.

What’s the story behind your company and your products?

In 2007, my sister and I took over the family business and gave it a facelift. We expanded the premises and created a modern meeting space, enhancing the exceptional views that we enjoy from here. Following in the footsteps of my father, who since 1962 has always expanded his range (new grape varieties, barrels, late harvest etc), we’ve also set out to offer more attractive and innovative products (Graal, Freya, Triumvirat), while maintaining our authenticity.

What are you trying to bring to your customers through your business and your products?

Through our many different grape varieties, we’re trying to show the wealth of the terroir here, its authenticity, diversity and its history. And in wine tasting at the cellar, I enjoy being able to show where the grapes come from, as our terrace overlooks a large part of our vineyards.

How has this very peculiar Covid period been for you? Have you been affected? How did you have to adapt?

It has pushed us to be imaginative and dynamic. During the semi-lockdown, we offered filmed tasting sessions. We reinforced our presence on social networks by creating various "Covid packs". We also sent our loyal private clients a bottle to show our support. Finally, we offered a voucher to all of our restaurant partners, as it was important for us to show our solidarity.

What motivates you to work in Crans-Montana? In your eyes, what are its strengths?

As a founding member of the winemakers’ association the Association des Encaveurs du Haut-Plateau (AEHP), I enjoy promoting wine tourism in the region, and the local grape and wine producers. The first goal was to set up the wine and terroir fair, the Salon des Vins et Terroirs. We wanted to give visitors to the resort an opportunity to explore the wealth of the wine industry in the region. The event will also take place this year in the Ycoor square, between 29 and 31 July 2021. As part of the Caves Ouvertes des Vins du Valais, wine cellar open day, which is taking place between 23 and 25 May 2021, we’re offering a "Taste & Dream", package which offers guests the possibility of booking a hotel room and safely accessing our cellars with a shuttle service.

What’s your favourite place in Crans-Montana, secret spot? Do you have a place you can share with us?

I particularly like the Aminona region, because it’s the place that best reflects my personality. Walking towards La Tièche, the Col de la Roue or Faverges, there are so many places where you’re in close contact with nature, before stopping off to eat at one of the good local restaurants.

What is your best memory in Crans-Montana, something that has left its mark on you?

I learned to ski as a child in our beautiful ski area. 2 or 3 of our families went together, spending days on the pistes and picnicking on the rocks. Also in winter when the restaurants are open, I love to finish my hike in a mountain restaurant, enjoying a Mondralèche fondue with a good bottle of wine.

What would you like to see develop in Crans-Montana?

The resort welcomes guests, just like we do in our vineyards. There is a wealth here that should be promoted, there are synergies to develop. We have everything to gain by offering special experiences: Crans-Montana is certainly one of the only ski resorts to have vineyards in its region… and the quality of its wine is unparalleled. Let’s make the most of it!

For more information about the Cordonier & Lamon wine cellar, to organise a wine tasting, order a Covid pack or to order any of their numerous other wines, visit their website www.cordonier-lamon.ch

And here is the list of the many winegrowers and winemakers in the Crans-Montana region.