A Valaisan cultivates vineyards in China at altitudes up to 2700 metres
At the foot of the Himalayan giants, the vineyards tended by Yves Roduit rise above the Upper Mekong in the southwest of China. In 2017, this native of Saillon and his Tibetan wife Helena created a wine estate in a remote valley located between 2000 and 2700 metres above sea level. Against all expectations, the climate at this altitude is remarkably well suited to the vine. Large temperature variations, the absence of winter frost and abundant sunshine provide ideal growing conditions. Vine treatments are minimal, since the main diseases barely develop in these conditions. Although vine cultivation at such altitudes would be impossible in Valais, the distinctive microclimate of Yunnan makes it possible to produce a refined terroir wine of outstanding quality.
Discover this unique vineyard through our interview with Yves Roduit, created for the Destination Wine exhibition.