Domaine

The vineyard is located between Eclépens and La Sarraz under the Roman road, which connects the two villages. It is located at the foot of Mormont hill, which dominates the Orbe plain.

This location, facing south, gives the vineyard a mild and sheltered microclimate. The vegetation around the vines is almost Mediterranean. The fauna shows great diversity which justifies its protection in the federal landscape inventory. The vines are planted on a south-facing hillside and are very protected from the wind, in medium to heavy, well-drained soils. These soils are particularly suitable for growing vines. The terroir is composed of cretaceous limestone which juts out and mixes with the Rhone moraine on the banks of the Venoge.

Eclépens Castle is one of the oldest wine estates in Switzerland. In a diploma given to Charlemagne’s son in Lausanne in 814, we learn that the emperor had vineyards in Maurmont near Eclépens (Eclepedengis). A precursor, Gamay was introduced to the estate well before it became one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Switzerland, just like Pinot Noir. Other more recent varieties such as Gamaret, Garanoir and Cabernet are also cultivated. In white, Chasselas, Doral and Pinot Gris have been cultivated and raised for decades.

The estate is cultivated entirely organically and is a member of Bio-Suisse. The family is uncompromising on its principles of sustainability and exemplarity. Respecting tradition, the harvest is cut by hand in order to keep the grapes intact for as long as possible before pressing. As for the pressing of the harvest, the vinification and botteling they take place at the Castle.