La Rodeline

The name La Rodeline tells a story before you even taste the wine. It's a clever blend of the surnames Roduit and Défayes, with Claudine's first name woven in: Ro-De-Line. This family estate sits in Fully, right at the foot of the Grand Chavalard massif, where the terraced vineyards climb steep slopes in one of Valais's most dramatic landscapes. The domain covers just over five hectares, but these aren't just any parcels. They're scattered across the best terroirs in Fully and Leytron, places with names like Les Claives, Combe d'Enfer, and Plamont. The soils here are something special. Fully's crystalline terroir is built on gneiss and granite, ancient rocks that give the wines a mineral backbone and racy character. Over in Leytron, the Perronne parcel sits on calcareous schists, offering a completely different expression. This is heroic viticulture at its finest, with dry stone walls and steep terraces that demand everything be done by hand.

The People Behind the Wine

Claudine and Yvon have been sharing a passion for wine for over 40 years. Both come from winegrowing families, true children of the Valais terroir. They were pioneers in their own quiet way, planting Cornalin de Fully back in 1972, followed by Humagne and Petite Arvine when these indigenous varieties were far from fashionable. In 2003, they took the leap from selling grapes to making their own wines. Claudine manages the vineyards while Yvon handles the cellar work and administrative side. Their philosophy is straightforward: let the soil speak as loudly as the grape variety. They've been farming organically since 2016, with some parcels managed biodynamically. Native yeasts, controlled sulfites, low yields, hand harvesting. Everything is done to let the terroir express itself honestly. In 2010, they built a contemporary winery on Chemin des Sablons, a striking building with colors that echo the blue-green of Bordeaux mixture and bright red. It's where tradition meets modernity, just like their wines.

The Wine Portfolio

La Rodeline produces a range that showcases both indigenous Valais varieties and carefully selected Rhône grapes. The Petite Arvine is a flagship, with three different expressions: Les Claives and La Murgère from Fully's crystalline soils, and Perronne from Leytron's limestone terroir. These are dry, precise whites with tension and elegance. The Païen, Fendant, and Humagne Blanc round out the white lineup, each reflecting its specific terroir. On the red side, there's La Serine, a Syrah from 40-year-old vines that sees aging in amphoras and barrels. The Cornalin comes from vines over 25 years old. Then there's the R&R, a creative blend of Pinot Noir and Cornalin that brings together two Swiss rivers and two grape varieties in one bottle. They also work with Gamay, Merlot, and Marsanne. These aren't wines that shout. They're wines that whisper stories of steep slopes, ancient rocks, and patient hands.