In Malans, in the Bündner Herrschaft, Weingut Donatsch stands among Switzerland’s great wine references. This historic family estate, now led by Martin Donatsch, produces rare, precise and deeply elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Completer, inspired by Burgundy yet firmly rooted in the Alpine freshness of Graubünden.

Weingut Donatsch — Alpine elegance from Malans

Located in Malans, in the heart of the Bündner Herrschaft, Weingut Donatsch is one of Switzerland’s most emblematic estates. Founded in 1897 and run by the Donatsch family for more than 125 years, the estate has played a major role in the modern history of Swiss fine wine, particularly through its work with Burgundian grape varieties and age-worthy cuvées.

After the visionary work of Thomas Donatsch, a pioneer of French oak élevage and of grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc in the region, Martin Donatsch now carries the estate forward as the fifth generation. The domaine is highly sought after for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Completer Malanserrebe and precise traditional-method sparkling wines.

History: a pioneering family in Swiss wine

The estate entered a new era with Thomas Donatsch, a decisive figure in Swiss viticulture. Inspired by Burgundy, he planted Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc from the 1970s, experimented with French oak barrels and helped establish Malans as one of Switzerland’s finest wine villages.

Martin Donatsch continues this vision with both fidelity and modern precision. Produced in limited quantities, his wines are now sought after well beyond Switzerland, especially the Unique cuvées, which have become benchmarks for collectors of great Alpine wines.

Terroir: Malans and the Bündner Herrschaft

Donatsch’s vines grow on the slopes of Malans, in a bright and well-ventilated Alpine landscape. Limestone-rich soils, favourable exposures and significant day-night temperature variation give wines that are ripe, precise and lifted. The climate of the Bündner Herrschaft allows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to reach remarkable finesse, while Completer expresses a deeply Graubünden identity.

Viticulture and winemaking: precision and Burgundian inspiration

The estate works with close attention to vine balance, maturity and parcel expression. In the cellar, élevage is handled with precision, often drawing on Burgundian references without losing the identity of Malans. Oak is used to support structure and texture, never to obscure fruit, freshness or the mineral character of the wines.

Style of the wines

Donatsch wines are defined by clarity, finesse and impressive ageing ability. The Pinot Noirs show red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, spice, floral notes and delicate earthy nuances, with silky tannins and Alpine lift. The Chardonnays combine citrus, white fruit, hazelnut, fine oak and mineral length, while Completer offers structure, salinity, herbal complexity and remarkable freshness.

Emblematic cuvées

Cellaring and food pairings

The finest Donatsch cuvées can age for 10 to 20 years, especially Pinot Noir Unique, Chardonnay Unique and Completer. The reds pair well with poultry, veal, duck, game birds, mushrooms and refined Alpine cuisine; the whites suit noble fish, shellfish, poultry in cream sauce, mature cheeses and dishes with fine herbal notes.