Weingut Wegelin – Malans

Biodynamic Alpine precision: terroir-driven Pinot Noir and crystalline whites from the Bündner Herrschaft

The Estate

Nestled in the village of Malans in the prestigious Bündner Herrschaft, Weingut Wegelin stands among Switzerland’s most respected producers of mountain Pinot Noir. The estate’s historic core, the Scadenagut beneath the Bothmar castle, has belonged to the Wegelin family since the 1950s. Long shaped by the vision of Peter Wegelin, a pioneer of quality in Graubünden, the domaine entered a new era when Raphael and Mathilde Hug took the helm in 2019, elevating the focus on parcel expression, organic farming and terroir precision.

Terroir & Vineyard

The vineyard spreads across the steep alpine slopes surrounding Malans, an intricate patchwork of terraces and hillsides composed of limestone, schist and marl-rich soils mixed with alpine scree (“Bündner Schuttboden”). These poor, well-drained soils compel the vines to root deeply, giving the wines their hallmark mineral tension. The high-altitude climate, shaped by cool winds, strong diurnal shifts and a long ripening season, allows for full phenolic maturity while maintaining natural freshness. Iconic parcels such as Scadena, Weisstorkel, Bothmarhalde, Frassa and Spiger are vinified separately, offering a refined, site-specific reading of the landscape.

Philosophy & Viticulture

Under the guidance of the next generation, the estate is organically certified and undergoing biodynamic conversion. The guiding principle is clear: to craft wines that speak of living soils and biodiversity. Vineyard work includes thoughtful soil cultivation, strict avoidance of synthetic inputs, gentle canopy management and low yields. All grapes are harvested by hand in small crates, followed by rigorous sorting to ensure pristine fruit quality. This level of precision underpins the domaine’s ability to reveal the purity and individuality of each site.

Winemaking & Ageing

In the cellar, winemaking blends Swiss precision with a Burgundian sensibility. Pinot Noir is typically partially destemmed, fermented in stainless-steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, and macerated gently to preserve finesse and aromatic detail. Ageing takes place in barriques and larger 500-L casks for around 12 months, extended for top parcels, striking a balance between structure and delicacy. Whites (Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Completer, Sauvignon Blanc) are aged either in tank or barrel depending on the cuvée, always with the goal of delivering tension, precision and texture rather than overt oakiness. Interventions are minimal: no fining, and filtration only when necessary.

Wine Style

Wegelin’s wines carry a distinctive alpine energy and remarkable aromatic clarity. The Pinot Noirs offer refined bouquets of red and black berries, floral notes, subtle herbs and delicate spice, with a touch of alpine stone. On the palate, they are silky, linear and elegant, supported by fine tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. The white wines display crystalline precision, bright acidity and flavours of white peach, citrus, wet stone and chalk, making them some of the most compelling alpine whites in the region.

Key Cuvées

Pinot Noir – Terroir Selections
Malanser Blauburgunder – the signature village Pinot: pure fruit, silky texture, immediate charm.
Scadena Blauburgunder – deep, complex and powerful; the estate’s flagship parcel wine.
Weisstorkel Blauburgunder – structured, spicy, expressive; outstanding ageing potential.

Whites & Specialties
Frassa Chardonnay & Bothmarhalde Chardonnay – precise, textural and mineral; alpine tributes to fine Burgundy.
Grauburgunder / Weissburgunder – gastronomic whites with finesse and stony tension.
Completer “Spiger” – rare, profound, saline; an exceptional expression of a historic Swiss grape.
Scampagna Extra Brut – a dry, chalk-textured sparkling Pinot Noir of remarkable purity.
Vin Viv White & Red – approachable organic cuvées, expressive and vibrant.