Cru de l'Hôpital - Christian Vessaz
Wine by Nature ...
Since 2013, all our vines have been cultivated in Biodynamics, Demeter certification. The soils are partially worked, the vines reinforced with herbal teas and preparations. Synthetic pesticides as well as fertilizers and herbicides are no longer used.
Exclusive fact, all our wines are labeled Demeter. They all meet the extremely strict requirements of winemaking without artifice and ferment with the natural yeasts of the grape. The rigor of the Demeter specifications aimed at preserving the naturalness of the product explains the scarcity of labeled wines on the market.
The winemaking is focused on minimal interventionism, oriented in part with the lunar calendar. The doses of sulfur used are minimal, giving the wine conservation and aromatic precision.
Qualitative research is a daily working strategy with the objective of producing wines that are as lively as possible. An intense and permanent commitment as well as a great sensitivity allow us to ensure biodynamic production in the vineyard and in the cellar. The yields produced by the vine under these conditions are low and favor the concentration of berries (45 hl / ha).
The estate cultivates 13 ha of vines on the “intercantonal” terroir of Vully. The grape varieties are Chasselas (40%), Pinot noir (25%) then popular specialties such as Traminer, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Gamaret as well as some curiosities such as Sauvignon blanc and Viognier. Among the 13 ha of cultivated vines, 2 ha are leased to the State of Friborg. Vinified separately in our cellar, they give rise to a separate range sold directly by the State of Friborg.
Established since the 15th century on the shores of Lake Murten, the "Cru de l'Hôpital" is a historic estate, owned by the Bourgeoisie de Murten. The name is a holdover from the days when wines were intended exclusively for the bourgeois hospital in Murten. For several decades, wines have been available for private customers and for gastronomy. Since 2002, Christian Vessaz, winemaker and oenologist engineer, has been watching over the estate.
A new line of sulfur-free wine completes the picture with even more Nature profiles. Only precision work allows life to fully express itself in our wines and give them incredible drinkability.