a unique adventure
The history of Les Celliers de Sion
“Les Celliers de Sion is the meeting of two skills and two traditions. The story of a friendship between two families and a partnership designed to respect each other’s identities.”
When Varone joined forces with Bonvin to create “Les Celliers de Sion” in 1992, the two houses sealed their destiny. From a purely economic partnership, they are gradually evolving towards a common goal and greater complementarity: once competitors, their ranges now aim to represent the full diversity and potential of Valais winegrowing.
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Because of its history and heritage, Maison Bonvin focuses on its estates and terroirs, while Maison Varone has opted for a more sensory approach to wine discovery. Two complementary approaches that give everyone a chance to discover wine in a different way.
This merger has generated new synergies for both wineries, and provides a magnificent showcase for their crus, perfectly illustrating the diversity of Valais wines. The ambition of the Celliers de Sion Oenoparc is to develop wine tourism skills and create the ideal conditions for a meeting between curious and demanding consumers and wines of character produced in an exceptional and unique landscape.
Discover the history of Celliers de Sion through time
traditions & know-how
Maison Bonvin 1858
Founded in 1858, the oldest wine house in the Valais has made a major contribution to the reputation of Swiss wines, particularly those bearing the AOC Valais label.
Charles Bonvin farms 23.5 hectares of vines on some of the most sought-after slopes in central Valais. These parcels benefit from south-facing, calcareous schist soils, giving rise to wines of remarkable minerality.
The mystery of the senses
Maison Varone Wines
Since its foundation in 1900, the Varone family business has followed the major developments in Swiss and Valais winegrowing.
At that time, it was the first to offer its wines in small containers, and to distinguish bottled qualities from the more common open wines. This enabled Varone wines to expand their market share in the gastronomic sector and among private customers in Switzerland and abroad.
A pioneering partnership
Les Celliers de Sion
In 1992, Bonvin and Varone decided to merge their skills to form Celliers de Sion.
This avant-garde partnership opens up promising horizons, resulting from the combined strengths of two houses with a rich heritage.
A jewel case at the foot of the Clavau vineyards
Les Celliers de Sion
In 2017, this partnership gave rise to a veritable showcase at the foot of the Clavau vineyard, Les Celliers de Sion, enabling wider wine tourism prospects.
The sparklingarchitecture reflects the dry stone walls of the vineyard, but also the material of the wine tanks, stainless steel.
Les Celliers de Sion
Unique architecture
“The view from the building is already the promise of a successful experience that calls to be extended outside and climb the vineyard that surrounds it.”
Les Celliers de Sion, a sparkling showcase for our wines, an innovative building at the foot of theheroic Clavau vineyard, the starting point for a magnificent tour of the Sion vineyards.
After the association of the two houses in 1992, Pascal Varone, an Epfl architect and cousin of the Varones, was commissioned to build Les Celliers de Sion, a winegrower’s cellar covering more than 1,000 square meters.
A “vine-to-bottle” building was built, and has been a fixture for many years.
In 2010, the two companies changed their name to ” Les Celliers de Sion ” and together imagined theOenoparc.
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The new building is self-sufficient in energy, with a roof providing electricity. Pascal Varone conceptualized his stainless-steel flake cladding, “from vat to wine”, evoking modern ageing and advances in oenology, while interacting with the colors of the terrace walls. It blends perfectly into its natural surroundings. The scenography is not to be outdone. This was entrusted to Michel Etter, museologist and scenographer.
Between tradition and know-how
The Bonvin House 1858
Bonvin 1858 is the oldest wine house in the Valais. It has made a major contribution to the reputation of Swiss wines, and in particular to the Valais appellation d’origine contrôlée.
Charles Bonvin cultivates 23.5 hectares of vines on the best slopes of the central Valais: terraced, south-facing vines on arid schist-limestone soils, expressing themselves in the remarkable minerality of his wines.
The exceptional location of the Bonvin estates, cultivated using integrated production techniques, and the cellar equipped with modern technical facilities, explain the success of these wines with their predestined name.
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The distinctions we have won in competitions, and the title of Swiss Cellar of the Year, awarded in 2014, bear witness to an artisanal know-how honed over more than 150 vintages.
In 1992, Bonvin joined forces with Philippe Varone Vins to found Les Celliers de Champsec, a winegrowers’ cooperative. Since 2017, these two partners have intensified their collaboration by creating a joint sales force: Switzerland’s first Oenoparc at the foot of the spectacular terraced vineyard. Les Celliers de Sion, managed by David Héritier, is a privileged meeting place for consumers and winegrowers.
From generation to generation
La Maison Varone Vins
Since its foundation in 1900, the Varone family business has followed the major developments in Swiss and Valais winegrowing.
At that time, it was the first to offer its wines in small containers, and to distinguish bottled qualities from the more common open wines. This enabled Varone wines to expand their market share in the gastronomic sector and among private customers in Switzerland and abroad.
As early as the 1920s, founder Frédéric Varone anticipated market trends by creating strong brands such as Fendant Soleil du Valais and Dôle Valéria.
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Since its foundation, Varone has worked on these values. In the 2000s, the company adopted a strategy of proximity to the consumer, based on an original approach: multi-sensory tasting. The result is extremely precise, uncompromising wines, which are offered at tastings where all the senses are brought to life. Another way of seeing, smelling, touching and tasting wine…
Wine tasting calls on all the senses and our memory. She invites us to search for smells, tastes and even sensations in our most distant memories, to put words to our perceptions.
In 1992, Varone joined forces with Bonvin 1858 Les Domaines to create Les Celliers de Champsec, with the aim of developing synergies and streamlining certain activities.
Today, Philippe Varone, President of the City of Sion, has decided to delegate the management of his business to Celliers de Sion, headed by David Héritier. The two partners are stepping up their collaboration by setting up a joint sales force and creating Switzerland’s first Oenopark at the foot of the spectacular terraced vineyards. Les Celliers de Sion is an ideal meeting place for consumers and winegrowers.