Valentina Andrei — Pure Alpine Expression of Switzerland’s Great Grapes

Based in Saillon, at the heart of Valais, Valentina Andrei represents a new generation of Swiss winemakers placing precision, terroir, and aromatic purity at the core of their philosophy. Her 4-hectare estate has quickly gained a cult reputation among collectors and sommeliers seeking rare, vibrant wines with strong identity.

Background & Philosophy

Originally from Romania, Valentina trained in Switzerland and refined her craft at iconic producers such as Domaine de Beudon and Marie-Thérèse Chappaz, where she served as cellar master. She later founded her own winery in Saillon, adopting an artisanal and terroir-focused approach.

Her philosophy centers on manual viticulture respectful of biodiversity and minimalist winemaking, using indigenous yeasts and low intervention. She works with micro-parcels on steep terraces at higher altitudes, preserving the wines’ tension, freshness, and precision.

Terroir & Grapes

The vineyards are planted on schist and limestone terraces, enjoying optimal sun exposure and cool Alpine winds.

• White grapes: Petite Arvine (parcel selections), Païen (Savagnin Blanc), Roussanne, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Humagne Blanche, Pinot Blanc, Completer.
• Red grapes: Gamay, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah.

This mix of native and noble grape varieties allows a precise reading of Alpine terroirs, resulting in wines of remarkable expression.

Viticulture & Winemaking

• Manual harvesting only
• Strict vineyard selection
• Indigenous yeasts, no additives
• No chaptalization, gentle extraction
• Slow ageing to let terroir speak

This patient and demanding approach results in wines that are precise, saline, and vibrant, with striking purity.

Key Cuvées

• Petite Arvine (parcel selections) — Granite, Calcaire, Belle Usine, Aria, Combe de Noutse: varied expressions of this iconic Valaisan grape, showing tension, salinity, and noble bitterness. Combe de Noutse 2020: 92+ Falstaff.
• Païen (Savagnin Blanc) — taut, mineral, with Alpine precision.
• Humagne Blanche & Completer — rare native grapes crafted with surgical precision, yielding elegant, complex wines.
• Reds — Gamay, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Syrah: delicate, perfumed wines with fresh fruit and vertical structure.

House Style

• Whites: aromatic purity, Alpine tension, marked salinity, mineral length, and lively finish.
• Reds: fine texture, fresh red fruit, gentle spice, elegant balance.

Across the range, the wines are defined by vibrant energy, terroir transparency, and outstanding drinkability.

Production & Distribution

With only 4 hectares under vine, production remains very limited. The parcel selections of Petite Arvine and Païen are particularly sought after.