Robert Taramarcaz, left, in a theatre production in August 2009 at his winery: top Chasselas producer

Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Stefan Gysel from Hallau, canton Schaffhausen, age 32, has been named the Swiss Winemaker of the Year as part of the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse. A record 2,117 wines were entered, a 15 percent increase over 2008 for Switzerland’s main and only independent national wine competition. This is the third year of the competition, which evolved from an earlier national awards programme.

Two other top awards were given, the Vinissimo prize, which went to Alain Gerber of Hauteville, canton Neuchatel, for his Prélude 2007 in the category “wine with residual sugar” and the Swiss Bio prize to Reynald Permelin from Domaine de la Capitaine in Begnins, canton Vaud, for his Johanniter 2008 in the category “other single-grape white wines.”

Gold winners in the 11 categories of wines are:

Fendant Classique 2008
Domaine des Muses, Robert Taramarcaz, Sierre, Valais

Schlipfer Gemeinde-Rebberg Riehener Riesling-Sylvaner 2008
Weinkellerei Coop, Basel

Other single-grape white wines / Malanser Pinot Blanc 2008
Von Salis AG, Landquart, Graubuenden

White blends / Aagne Pinot Blanc Chardonnay 2008
Aagne vom Schopf, Gysel family, Halla, Schaffhausen

Rosés and whites from reds / Rosé de Terre-Neuve 2008
Domaine de Terre-Neuve, David & Vera Kind, St-Prex, Vaud

Pinot Noir / Aagne Pinot Noir Spätlese (late harvest) 2007
Aagne vom Schopf, Gysel family, Halla, Schaffhausen

Gamay / Gamay de Dardagny 2008
Domaine du Clos des Pins, Marc Ramu, Dardagny, Geneva

Merlot / Choix Merlot del Ticino 2005
Zamberlani Vini SA, Piott, Ticino

Other single-grape red wines / Syrah Diego Mathier 2006
Adrian Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG, Salgesc, Valais

Red blends / Cuvée Madame Rosmarie Mathier 2007
Adrian Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG, Salgesc, Valais

Wines with residual sugar / Prélude 2007
Alain Gerber, Hauterive, Neuchatel

Complete list of winners

The winemaker of the year as well as the winners of wines in the 11 categories were named Friday 24 October at a gala event in Zurich. Canton Valais, the country’s largest wine-producing region, took 12 of the 66 finalist prizes, with Geneva, Vaud and Neuchatel following with four finalists and one top gold prize each.

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