History

At Les Celliers de Sion two methods of expertise and tradition come together. Its history is one of friendship between two families and a partnership based on the respect for each other’s identity.

When Maison Varone first associated with Maison Bonvin to create “Les Celliers de Champsec” in 1992, the two maisons took destiny in their own hands. At first a purely economic partnership, cooperation slowly evolved towards a common goal and more synergies: former competitors whose esteemed wine range today displays the diversity and the potential of Valais grape and wine production.

As a result of its history and its heritage, Maison Bonvin brings its domaines and terroirs, while Maison Varone has decided to adopt a more sensory strategy to wine making: two complementary methods, allowing each to fulfil its desires by discovering a different approach to wine.

This connection generated new synergies for the two winemakers and offered them a magnificent setting for their crus, perfectly illustrating the diversity of Valais wines. The aim of the Oenoparc of the Celliers de Sion is to develop touristic capacities around the wine production and to create an ideal environment for inquiring and interested consumers to discover wines of character produced in an exceptional and unique landscape.

Architecture

The Celliers de Sion, an innovative construction for our wines, lies at the foothills of the revered Clavau vineyard and is a starting point for a breathtaking hike around the Sion vines.

After the merger of the two maisons in 1992, Pascal Varone, EPFL architect and a cousin of the Varone family, was given the mandate to build the Celliers de Champsec, a wine producer’s cellar of over 1000 m2 in size.
Over the years, a building “of the grape to the bottle” was built, and has established itself over a period of years.

In 2010, the two maisons changed their names to “The Celliers de Sion” and created the Oenoparc complex.

The new building covers all its energy needs independently and is covered with powerful electricity-producing solar roofing. Pascal Varone designed a museum building for a “from the tank to the wine” approach with a housing made of stainless-steel plates. Modern growing methods and progress in winemaking are in dialogue with the walls of the terraces. The building blends in perfectly with its natural environment, but the scenography has not been neglected and was entrusted to the care of museologist and scenographer Michel Etter.

The setting of the museum building is a successful expression of style with a modern interior blending the vineyards outside.

The Maison Bonvin

Bonvin 1858 is the most ancient wine maison in Valais. It contributed greatly to the fame of Swiss wines, and especially, those of the Valais appellation controlee.

Charles Bonvin cultivates 23.5 hectares of the best terraced south-facing vineyards of central Valais on dry and schist soils. This is reflected in the remarkable minerality of its wines.

The exceptional location of the Bonvin domains cultivated according to integrated production techniques and the cave equipped with modern production facilities explain the success of the aptly-named wines.

The awards received in various competitions and the title as Swiss Winery of the Year in 2014 bear witness to an extraordinary traditional craftsmanship, refined in more than 150 vintages.

In 1992, the Maison Bonvin joined with Philippe Varone Vins to create Les Celliers de Champsec with the aim of developing synergies. Since 2017, these two partners have intensified their cooperation by creating a joint sales force and the first Oenoparc in Switzerland below the spectacular terraced vineyards. The Celliers de Sion headed by David Héritier stand out as a privileged meeting point between customers and artisan wine producers.

The Maison Varone

Founded in 1900, the family-owned Maison Varone has always followed the great developments in Swiss and Valais winegrowing.

At that time, it was the first winery to fill its quality wines into bottles instead of only using open containers. This ensured the commercial development of Varone wines in gastronomy and also with private customers in Switzerland and abroad.

Since the 1920’s, founder Frédéric Varone, anticipated market trends by creating strong brand names such as Fendant Soleil du Valais and Dôle Valéria.

Since its foundation, the Maison Varone has been working on its values. In the 2000’s, it has also adopted a proximity strategy for the end consumer, which showcases an original approach: the polysensory discovery. This results in extremely precise uncompromising wines, which are offered at tastings and at which all senses are aroused: another way of seeing, feeling, touching and tasting wine…

The tasting of a wine includes all senses and inspires memories. It invites us to search for fragrance, taste or even feelings in our most distant memories to find words for our sensations.

In 1992, Maison Varone joined with Bonvin 1858 Les Domaines to create Les Celliers de Champsec with the aim of developing synergies and at the same time rationalising some redundant activities.

Today, Philippe Varone, Mayor of Sion, has passed on the management of his business to the Celliers de Sion headed by David Héritier. The two partners intensified their cooperation initiating a joint sales force and by creating the first Oenoparc in Switzerland below the spectacular terraced vineyards. The Celliers de Sion stand out as a privileged meeting point between customers and artisan wine producers.