L’Esprit de Genève – A wine that unites the canton’s winegrowers and wine lovers
L’Esprit de Genève is much more than just a name: it embodies the city’s historical and philosophical foundations. Its values of solidarity, humanism and freedom, inspired by the likes of Calvin, Rousseau and Dunant, continue to nurture Geneva’s identity. This spirit of tolerance and commitment, rooted in the city’s diplomatic and humanitarian traditions, continues today in the canton’s vineyards. Esprit de Genève wine is a reflection of this lively, committed local culture, supported by close collaboration between passionate winemakers.
ESPRIT DE GENÈVE WINE
Born out of a common desire to highlight Geneva’s crus, this blended wine is based on a cooperative effort between the canton’s wine cellars. The base of this cuvée is Gamay, representing at least 50% of the blend, a historic grape variety renowned for its freshness and fruity aromas, sometimes aged in oak barrels. It is accompanied by varieties such as Gamaret (minimum 20%), which brings structure and tannic complexity, and Garanoir, renowned for its roundness and suppleness. Each winery can also include up to 20% of other varieties, allowing each winemaker to add his or her own oenological sensibility.
All Esprit de Genève wines comply with a strict set of specifications and undergo an approval tasting, guaranteeing quality and consistency. Each cuvée reflects the excellence and expertise of its creator, while illustrating the harmony between tradition and innovation.
A special edition for the 20th anniversary: the connected bottle
To celebrate the project’s two decades, the bottles are now equipped with an NFC chip. This technology allows consumers to access a specific web page by scanning the bottle with a smartphone. It features an immersive video explaining the Esprit de Genève concept, as well as a portrait of the winemaker, who shares his story, vision and practices. This digital initiative transforms wine-tasting into a truly interactive and human experience, creating a direct link between producer and wine-lover.
Visitors can also order bottles online, reinforcing the closeness between those who create wine and those who enjoy it.
A fun dimension with a monthly competition
Each month, a competition allows participants to win prizes by correctly answering a question about the wines or producers. The winners are drawn from the correct answers. This engaging scheme encourages discussion and promotes local heritage while combining discovery and enjoyment.
Refined packaging: silk-screen printing and the signature of each estate
The bottles have been designed to symbolise the unity of the project, while respecting the identity of each winemaker. The look is based on elegant silk-screen printing, with subtle motifs that underline the exclusivity of the cuvée. Each bottle bears the inscription ‘L’Esprit de Genève par’ followed by the name of the winery, highlighting individuality within a collective adventure. This choice of packaging enhances the sensory and visual experience, making each bottle a unique object.
PORTRAITS OF PARTICIPATING WINEGROWERS
Thierry Anet - Domaine de la République et Canton de Genève, Lully
Located on the heights of Lully, this 6-hectare vineyard was created thanks to a bequest from Louis-Frédéric Eckert in 1971. It stands out for its innovative techniques, which are both respectful of the environment and focused on progress. A forerunner in the introduction of new grape varieties, the estate plays an active role in the modernisation of Geneva winegrowing. It is also exploring sustainable solutions such as the use of drones and ecological seeds. Although its production is small, its wines are easily accessible to the general public.
Florian Barthassat - La Cave de Genève, Satigny
Founded in 1994, this cooperative is one of the pillars of the Geneva wine industry. With its long history, it promotes local terroirs by working closely with the canton’s producers. In the 1970s, it centralised up to 80% of Geneva’s wine production. Since 2007, it has been based in Satigny, producing vintages from wine-growing areas such as ‘Entre Arve et Lac’ and Mandement. Committed to the environment, it is involved in the ECO21 programme, aimed at reducing energy consumption.
Justine and Christophe Batardon - Domaine de la Mermière, Soral
This 11-hectare estate between Soral and Laconnex cultivates its vines organically. The rich, lively limestone soils are worked naturally, without chemical inputs. The grapes are harvested by hand and picked when fully ripe. In the cellar, the duo adopt a minimalist approach, limiting the use of sulphur in order to reveal the authenticity of the terroir.
Bernard Bosseau - Cave de Sézenove, Lully
Originally from Nantes, Bernard left the electrical engineering sector to take up a career in wine. After studying in Bordeaux, he moved to Geneva and worked for 20 years at Domaine de la Planta, where he won several awards. Since 2018, he has been managing the Domaine de Sézenove, renowned for its Chasselas and Bartholie, a refined sparkling wine.
Nicolas Cadoux - Domaine des Graves, Athenaz
The family estate, established in 1918, covers around ten hectares. Nicolas represents the fourth generation and cultivates around twenty grape varieties with respect for the environment. He combines heritage and innovation while passing on his know-how to the next generation.
Bernard & Olivier Conne - Domaine des Charmes, Peissy
Situated on well-exposed glacial moraine slopes, this estate has the Bio Suisse Bourgeon label. Olivier and Bernard prefer to work the vines by hand, from leaf removal to harvesting. The wines are matured in stainless steel or in barrels, reflecting their attachment to the terroir and the environment.
Jérôme Cruz & Tanguy Lenoble - Domaine de Beauvent, Bernex
This 16-hectare family estate grows 16 1er Cru grape varieties on AOC plots. The grapes are harvested by hand and the vineyards are herbicide-free. In the cellar, little is done to let the wine speak for itself. The GRTA-labelled estate promotes biodiversity and character.
Céline Dugerdil - Domaine de la Printanière, Avully
Céline has been running this 9.5-hectare estate in Avully, Dardagny and Satigny since 2015. The organic conversion will be completed in 2024. Céline vinifies 17 vintages from 14 grape varieties, grown on the slopes of ancient glacial moraines.
Sophie Dugerdil - Domaine Dugerdil, Dardagny
Managed by Sophie since 2004, this 9-hectare estate is certified Bio Suisse. It produces around 25 wines with a wide range of profiles, favouring both single-vine varieties and original blends. The estate combines high ecological standards with a quest for uniqueness.
Dupraz family - Domaine des Curiades, Lully
The estate’s roots date back to the 13th century. Owned by the Dupraz family since 1909, it is now run by Xavier, Antoine and Lucas, representatives of the fifth generation. The grapes are harvested by hand, and some of the wines are produced without filtration or sulphites.
Stéphane and Léo Dupraz - Family estate in Soral
This 8-hectare estate is currently run by Stéphane, who will be joined in 2020 by his son Léo. The conversion to organic farming began the same year. The GRTA-labelled estate is the embodiment of family winegrowing geared towards sustainability.
Emilienne and Guillaume Hutin Zumbach - Domaine Les Hutins, Dardagny
With 20 hectares of vines, this family estate, a pioneer in improving the quality of Geneva’s crus, is certified Bio Bourgeon. Emilienne, accompanied by her son Guillaume, continues a demanding winemaking tradition, combining innovation with respect for natural cycles.
Josef Meyer & Julien Morel - Château du Crest, Jussy
Owned by the Micheli family since 1637, this château produces wines from 20 hectares. As well as wine, the estate farms and rears over 600 pigs under the GRTA label, and operates a cereal collection centre.
Philippe Meylan - Domaine de la Guérite, Gy
Labelled Bio Suisse in 2019, this 9-hectare estate cultivates its vines using natural preparations. Passionate about his work, Philippe began vinification in 2016 for his own wedding, and has been making sincere, precise wines ever since.
Sarah & Roger Meylan - Domaine de la Vigne Blanche, Cologny
With 7.5 hectares of vines and 25 hectares of farmland, the Meylan family applies biodynamic principles. Their commitment to the environment is also reflected in their support for local projects such as TourneRêve and organic baskets.
Nicolas Seiller & Guillaume van Berchem - Château des Bois, Satigny
This 115-hectare wine château, almost 5 of which are dedicated to vines, cultivates nine grape varieties in an environmentally-friendly way. It also breeds Galloway cows and grows cereals, in a spirit of diversified and sustainable production.
André Serex - Domaine Les Vallières, Satigny
On the heights of the Mandement, André manages a 15-hectare estate (of which he owns 8.5 hectares). A convert to organic farming, he cultivates 18 grape varieties on land shaped by glacial retreat, using practices that do not involve herbicides or chemical inputs.
Sébastien Villard - Domaine Villard & Fils, Anières
A descendant of four generations of winegrowers, Sébastien continues the know-how passed down from his forebears, while at the same time innovating. Since 2018, the estate has been certified organic. The wines combine respect for the terroir, the diversity of grape varieties and the quality of the wines.