Weingut Eichholz – Irène Grünenfelder — The Alpine Precision of Pinot Noir from Graubünden

Weingut Eichholz, founded by Irène Grünenfelder, is one of the most distinctive estates in the Bündner Herrschaft, in Graubünden. Located in Jenins, at the heart of one of Switzerland’s finest regions for Pinot Noir, this small family domaine has earned a strong reputation for characterful wines shaped by meticulous work and a very personal signature.

Since the 1990s, Irène Grünenfelder has built a rare reputation around Pinot Noir Eichholz, the estate’s emblematic cuvée. Its confidential production, artisanal approach and attention to detail give rise to wines that are elegant, deep and firmly rooted in the slopes of Jenins, favouring finesse, fruit clarity and poise rather than demonstrative power.

History: Irène Grünenfelder’s personal journey

The modern history of the estate is inseparable from Irène Grünenfelder. In a region that is now highly sought after, she developed an independent, patient approach deeply attached to the vineyard. Since 1995, the domaine has vinified Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, before gradually broadening its range with other white grape varieties.

Weingut Eichholz remains a small-scale estate, with around 3.5 hectares of vines. This limited size allows very close attention to each parcel, to ripeness and to ageing. Each cuvée therefore retains an artisanal dimension, far removed from standardised production.

The domaine is best known for its Pinot Noir, now recognised as one of the notable expressions of Graubünden. In a region where the grape can produce wines of remarkable finesse, Irène Grünenfelder signs a personal style: precise fruit, polished tannins, delicate texture and a long finish, with genuine capacity to evolve in bottle.

Terroir: Jenins and the Bündner Herrschaft

The Bündner Herrschaft, in northern Graubünden, is one of Switzerland’s great sectors for Pinot Noir. The slopes of Jenins, close to Maienfeld, benefit from a luminous Alpine climate, shaped by the influence of the foehn, cool nights and slow ripening, which encourage aromatic balance.

The draining soils, well-exposed slopes and thermal variations give the wines an expression that is both ripe and slender. Pinot Noir finds particularly favourable conditions here: it can develop aromas of cherry, raspberry, redcurrant, fine spice and floral notes, while retaining a fresh, well-drawn palate.

The domaine also works with Sauvignon Blanc, as well as varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc depending on the cuvée. This diversity remains secondary to the central role of Pinot Noir, the true signature of Eichholz.

Viticulture and vinification: small scale, great attention to detail

The strength of the domaine lies in its limited scale and meticulous work. The vines are closely followed in order to harvest ripe, healthy and balanced grapes, capable of expressing the character of the slopes of Jenins without losing the delicacy typical of Graubünden Pinot Noir.

In the cellar, the approach remains careful and measured. Ageing supports the natural structure of the wine without masking the fruit. The style favours fine tannins, aromatic clarity and a harmonious palate, with depth that reveals itself more through time than through extraction.

Wine style

Pinot Noir Eichholz is the flagship wine of the estate. It combines ripe red fruit, spicy notes, a fine palate and silky tannins. The finest vintages can gain complexity after a few years in the cellar, developing nuances of forest floor, black tea, fine leather and candied red fruits.

The domaine’s white wines offer another facet of Jenins: aromatic yet composed Sauvignon Blanc, and more discreet Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, with a focus on balance, freshness and clarity. The whole range is marked by the same idea: producing sincere, elegant wines deeply linked to their origin.

Emblematic cuvées

Ageing and gastronomic pairings

The finest Pinot Noirs from Eichholz can evolve for 8 to 15 years depending on the vintage, sometimes longer in very good conditions. They then gain complexity, with notes of forest floor, sweet spice, tea, fine leather and patinated red fruits.

At the table, the Pinot Noirs pair beautifully with roast poultry, veal, duck, mushrooms, feathered game, fine charcuterie, mature cheeses and refined Alpine cuisine. The whites work well with lake fish, seasonal vegetables, fresh cheeses, poultry, asparagus, fresh herbs and delicately citrus-led dishes.