Les Celliers de Sion

Les Celliers de Sion is the meeting of two areas of expertise and two traditions. It’s the story of a friendship between two families and a partnership built on respect for each other’s identities.

When Maison Varone joined forces with Maison Bonvin to create “Les Celliers de Sion” in 1992, the two houses sealed their destiny. From a purely economic partnership, they gradually evolved towards a shared goal and greater complementarity: once competitors, their product lines now aim to represent the full diversity and potential of Valais winemaking.

Thanks to its history and heritage, Maison Bonvin highlights its estates and terroirs, while Maison Varone has opted for a more sensory exploration of wine. These two complementary approaches allow everyone to find their perfect wine and discover it in a new way.

This partnership has generated new synergies for both wineries and provides a magnificent setting for their wines, perfectly illustrating the diversity of Valais wines. The ambition of the Oenoparc des Celliers de Sion is to develop wine tourism expertise and create the ideal conditions for encounters between curious and discerning consumers and characterful wines produced in an exceptional and unique landscape.

Bonvin 1858 is the oldest winery in Valais. It has greatly contributed to the renown of Swiss wines, and more specifically to the Valais Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC).

Charles Bonvin cultivates 23.5 hectares of vines on the finest slopes of central Valais: terraced vineyards facing due south, with arid calcareous schist soils, resulting in the remarkable minerality of his wines.

The exceptional location of the Bonvin estates, cultivated using integrated production techniques, and the winery equipped with modern technical facilities explain the success of these wines with their aptly named name.

The awards received in competitions, as well as the title of Swiss Winery of the Year in 2014, attest to a refined artisanal expertise honed over more than 150 vintages.

In 1992, Bonvin partnered with Philippe Varone Vins to found Les Celliers de Champsec to develop synergies. Since 2017, these two partners have intensified their collaboration by creating a joint sales force: Switzerland's first wine park, located at the foot of the spectacular terraced vineyards. Les Celliers de Sion, managed by David Héritier, is emerging as a prime meeting place for consumers and winemakers.

Since its founding, Varone has focused on these values. In the 2000s, it adopted a customer-centric strategy that emphasizes an original approach: multisensory tasting. This results in exceptionally precise, uncompromising wines, offered during tastings where all the senses are awakened. A different way to see, smell, touch, and taste wine… Tasting wine engages all the senses and calls upon our memory. It invites us to rediscover scents, tastes, and even sensations in our most distant memories to put words to our perceptions.

In 1992, Maison Varone partnered with Bonvin 1858 Les Domaines to create Les Celliers de Champsec, intending to develop synergies and streamline certain activities.

Today, Philippe Varone, Mayor of Sion, has decided to delegate the management of his company to Les Celliers de Sion, headed by David Héritier. Within this framework, the two partners are strengthening their collaboration by launching a joint sales force and creating Switzerland's first wine park at the foot of the spectacular terraced vineyards. Les Celliers de Sion is emerging as a prime meeting place for consumers and winemakers.