Gantenbein
Summary
Gantenbein is a boutique family estate in Fläsch, Switzerland, where Daniel and Martha Gantenbein manage 6 hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards on limestone-rich, south-facing Alpine slopes. Their gravity-flow winery, built in 2006 with its distinctive robotic-laid brick facade, enables precise temperature control and minimal intervention winemaking, producing wines that rank among Switzerland's most acclaimed.
Heritage & Leadership
Daniel and Martha Gantenbein established their winery in 1982 in the village of Fläsch, located in Switzerland's Graubünden canton. The couple continues to personally oversee all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking operations. In 2006, they marked a significant milestone with the construction of their distinctive winery building, designed by architects Gramazio & Kohler, featuring a uniquely patterned brick facade created using robotic technology.
Vineyards & Wines
The Gantenbein estate encompasses 6 hectares of vineyards positioned on the steep slopes of Fläsch mountain. These south and southeast-facing sites benefit from limestone-rich soils mixed with gravel, providing excellent drainage for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The elevation and aspect of these vineyard sites create optimal conditions for grape ripening in this Alpine winegrowing region.
Philosophy & Practice
The Gantenbeins employ traditional Burgundian winemaking methods, adapted to their Alpine terroir. Their approach centers on careful hand harvesting and temperature-controlled fermentation. The wines mature in small oak barrels in their gravity-flow winery, designed to minimize mechanical intervention in the winemaking process. Their purpose-built facility allows for precise temperature control throughout vinification and aging.