Family and History

Our Roots in Salgesch

Our story begins in Salgesch.
Nestled among vineyards, warm stone, and the wind that sweeps down from the Rhône Valley across the slopes.

In 1962, Leo and Edith laid the foundation for what is now Cave du Rhodan. Both were born in 1889. They knew a life in which people worked simply because the work had to be done. Viticulture wasn’t a project—it was part of everyday life.

The winery grew out of this work: planting vines, tending the soil, bringing in the harvest—year after year.

Over time, they also developed a deep understanding of the vineyards around Salgesch. Each plot behaves differently—soil, sun, wind, water. If you observe long enough, you’ll recognize the differences.

The potential of these vineyards became apparent early on. In 1972, a Pinot Noir from Cave du Rhodan was named the world’s best red wine at an international competition in Budapest. For Salgesch, this was more than just an award. It was a moment that demonstrated what could be grown here.

Wine has always been a part of life around the table—conversations, decisions, harvests. Generations grew up among the vines, barrels, and stories.

Salgesch has always remained at the center of it all.

This is where our roots lie.
This is where it all began.

For the complete chronology of Cave du Rhodan

The Moment of Decision

Many years later, Olivier and Sandra were living in Bern. Olivier worked in business and project management, and Sandra in human resources development. Their daily lives revolved around the city.

But on many weekends, their path led them to the Valais, to Salgesch—to the vineyards, to the place where part of their story had begun.
In the Valais, the family winery stood without a clear successor. Olivier’s father, Leo, had run and built up Cave du Rhodan over decades. The vineyards were well-tended, and the cellar was in good shape. But there was no clear successor.

The business continued to operate, but the question of what the future held remained unanswered.
For Olivier, this was no easy decision. He knew what this winery meant to his family. And he also knew that a vineyard cannot simply wait.

In 2007, Olivier and Sandra decided to return to Salgesch. They sold their house in Bern, ended their careers in the city, and took over the winery in Salgesch.

Not just to carry on as before.
But to figure out how to make it even better.

Thinking Ahead Instead of Preserving the Past

When Olivier returned to Salgesch, it quickly became clear to him: You can’t simply carry on running a winery the way it’s always been done. Every vintage raises new questions. The soil changes. So does the climate.

That’s why Olivier began to take a fresh look at many aspects of the operation—not out of principle, but out of curiosity—in the vineyard, in the cellar, with the machinery, and with energy.

Some were minor adjustments. Others meant questioning the status quo. For example, in how we treat the soil. Because if the soil remains alive, it will continue to produce good grapes in the future. Over the years, this has led to many changes: Today, in the vineyard, we work with electric machinery that is quieter and puts less strain on the soil. Part of the energy used to run the operation comes from our own solar power. And many tasks in the vineyard have been adapted to ensure that the vines and soil remain healthy in the long term.

Not everything came about right away. Some things took time; some ideas were eventually discarded. But one thing has always remained the same: the willingness to examine and refine our approaches.

After all, a winery thrives on paying close attention and being open to learning.

Family as a Daily Collaboration

At Cave du Rhodan, people rarely work alone. Many decisions are made through discussion.

Olivier is often out and about—in the vineyard or in the cellar, where a barrel is being tasted or a specific plot needs a closer look. That’s where many ideas take shape—sometimes between two rows of vines, sometimes over a glass of must in the cellar.

Sandra then asks the questions that turn an idea into a plan. She thinks through processes, organizes, and talks with partners, customers, and the team. Much of what later seems like second nature begins with these conversations.

Day after day, the business moves between the vineyard, the cellar, and the office. Decisions aren’t made in just one place; they circulate throughout the business.

The family has always been part of this daily routine, too. In the first few years after taking over, the grandparents often pitched in wherever they were needed. The children grew up among vineyards, machinery, and the aroma of the cellar.
Today, the next generation is asking its own questions—sometimes simple ones, sometimes surprisingly precise ones.

Here, a family business doesn’t mean “tradition” as some grand concept. It means that several generations work, learn, and share responsibility in the same place.

The Next Generation

Today, the next generation has already come of age.

Luc, Noah, and Yves grew up on the estate in Salgesch. They know the rhythm of the seasons, the work in the vineyard, and the long days during harvest.

Today, they’re forging their own paths. They’re studying, gaining experience, discovering new places, and exploring different perspectives. The world has become bigger than the vineyard where they grew up.

And yet this place leaves its mark. Those who grow up among the vines learn early on that many things take time: soil that remains alive, a vintage that must ripen, decisions whose effects only become apparent years later.
Perhaps that is the most important lesson from winemaking: The soil never belongs solely to us. We are privileged to walk alongside it for a time.

A story that continues

The winery in Salgesch has grown over many years. Leo and Edith laid the foundation. Later, others carried on the work, made adjustments, and made new decisions.

This is how a winery is built over generations—not through a single step, but through many small ones. In the vineyard, in the cellar, and in the decisions that each vintage brings.

Some things stay the same: the location, the vineyards, working with the seasons. Other things change with each generation, which brings new experiences and helps the winery evolve.

This is how Cave du Rhodan continues to grow.
With every vintage.
With every decision in the vineyard.

Milestones in Our History

1962
The winery was founded by Leo and Edith in Salgesch.

1972
Pinot Noir Perle du Rhodan is named the world’s best red wine at an international competition in Budapest.

1979
Leo Mounir takes over and further develops the winery.

1988
Salgesch becomes Switzerland’s first Grand Cru municipality.

2007
Olivier and Sandra take over Cave du Rhodan and begin a new chapter.

For the complete chronology of Cave du Rhodan

Questions about the winery?

Questions and suggestions from our customers are very important to us. We welcome all feedback and are grateful for it. This gives us the opportunity to continually improve and better meet the needs of our regular customers. We will get back to you as soon as possible.