Les Frères Dutruy

The Dutruy family story begins back in 1917, when their great-grandfather settled in Founex, a village nestled between Geneva and Nyon in the La Côte region. He planted his first vines and created what would become Domaine de la Treille. Over four generations, this family has built something special on the gentle slopes above Lake Geneva, where the Rhone glacier carved out the landscape more than 10,000 years ago. The brothers also manage vineyards in nearby Coppet at Domaine de la Doye, added in 1994, and more recently acquired parcels in the spectacular Lavaux terraces. Their vineyards sit in the Terre Sainte area, stretching between the lake shores and the Jura mountains, where a mosaic of soils creates ideal conditions for growing grapes.

Christian and Julien Dutruy took over the family estate in 2006, becoming the fourth generation to work these lands. But they didn't just inherit vines. They also took charge of Switzerland's oldest vine nursery, a business that guarantees them access to the highest quality plant material. Christian, the elder brother born in 1975, studied at Changins before heading to Napa Valley and South Africa, where at just 23 he managed a winery producing 15 million liters annually. Julien, five years younger, trained in Burgundy and earned his National Oenologist degree at the University of Bordeaux, finishing top of his class. He worked at prestigious estates like Gevrey-Chambertin, Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, and in Alsace at Domaine Hugel. Their complementary skills create a dynamic partnership, with Christian handling the vineyards and nursery while Julien oversees winemaking and marketing.

The brothers work their 25 hectares following organic viticulture standards, with certification achieved for the 2019 vintage. No synthetic chemicals or herbicides touch their soils. Instead, they use solid and liquid compost made from their own organic waste, enriched with biodynamic preparations. This approach reflects their belief that healthy soil produces better wine. In 2015, they built a state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery with 55 small temperature-controlled tanks for separate parcel vinification, plus 180 oak barrels from Europe's finest forests. Their philosophy centers on respecting the environment and expressing the unique character of each terroir.

Les Frères Dutruy produces around 24 wines from their La Côte and Lavaux vineyards. Their Expression de Terroir line showcases single varieties and carefully crafted blends from specific parcels. The prestige range, Les Romaines, includes limited-production wines made only in the best vintages, featuring red blends, sparkling wines, and single varietals like Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Gamaret, and Gamay. From Lavaux, they produce Grand Cru Chasselas from Epesses and Dézaley. The estate is known for its red wines, unusual for Vaud where white grapes dominate. In 2017, exactly 100 years after their great-grandfather started the family business, Christian and Julien won Swiss Winery of the Year at the Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, cementing their reputation as serious winemakers who honor tradition while pushing quality forward.