Our Winery
Passion. Because that is what brought us about and has kept us going, still, always and for a long time to come.
Les Fils de Charles Favre is above all a story of passion:
- A passion for heritage, because it is a heritage of personalities who have left their mark on the Valais wine world;
- Passion for excellence, because we have always stood out thanks to the excellence of our wines;
- Passion for sharing, because winemaking is an art, requiring emotion, passion and a great deal of sharing;
- Finally, the passion of a lifetime that has been passed on and that still drives us today to honour this unique heritage.
“Enjoying a glass of excellent wine with other people in a relaxed atmosphere is a sin only for grumpy people. Let’s leave them to their fate and live happily under the Valais sun.
Jean-Pierre Favre
Jean-Pierre Favre and his mother, Hanny Favre
Our Story
1944 – The birth of a family wine cellar in Sion
At the end of the war, three brothers, René-Pierre, Benjamin and Charly (Charles Favre’s sons), began making wine in Sion and set up the sole proprietorship “Les Fils de Charles Favre”. René-Pierre, who ran the business, died suddenly in 1960 in the prime of life.
1960 – Hanny Favre: the rise of the Dame de Sion
His wife, Hanny Favre, took over the reins of the company. She took oenology courses and became the first woman oenologist in Switzerland, as well as being the first Valais woman to be admitted to the Union des Négociants en Vins. She soon became known as the Dame de Sion and helped the winery to achieve lasting success.
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In just a few years, she took up an incredible challenge, under the stunned gaze of the men who were then exclusively in charge of this profession and who watched the gesticulations of the Dame de Sion with a certain scepticism.
The proof was in the pudding, and the small business on Avenue de Tourbillon went from strength to strength, not only in the number of bottles sold, but also in the diversification of the range of wines (an innovative idea at the time) and in the relentless quest for quality (these were the days of wines in litres, when consumers were content with their daily fendant and were not yet involved in the subtleties of tastings and competitions…).
It was in Fendant that Hanny made his name with the brilliant idea of the Dame de Sion, a simple, clear beverage with a hint of sparkle for the aperitif hour; for rinsing away tomorrow’s disappointments, lighting the election fires or singing the late-night hymns of the carnotzets… A Fendant for all occasions, of impeccable quality, always the same, but always different, depending on the mood… The Dame de Sion became the emblem of the Cave and quickly came to characterise the “patroness”, who was given this second baptismal name by the people of the Valais, who rallied around this citizen’s fendant.
1974 – A Swiss pioneer at the International Wine Academy
Hanny joined the Académie Internationale du Vin, becoming the only representative from our country.
1975 – Jean-Pierre Favre: the family succession
In December, Jean-Pierre Favre, Hanny’s 3rd son, took over as director of the company. He brings to the company his savoir-faire, the very best in quality and the strength of the family tradition… The company remains on a human scale, with around thirty employees and five hundred and fifty grape suppliers.
1988 – International recognition for Hanny Favre
Hanny was named ‘Personality of the Year’ in the field of oenology by an international jury.
1989 – The 35cl revolution
Working with his mother, Jean-Pierre launched a revolution on the winegrowers’ market: the Dame de Sion 35cl, which quickly became a legend. Even today, this idea of genius makes us think that we may not have invented the aperitif, but we did invent the wine that goes with it.
2006 – The Dame de Sion’s farewell
Hanny Favre dies and the Valais wine world loses its Dame de Sion. Jean-Pierre, Chairman of the Board of Directors, hires a new commercial director.
2010 – The heritage of a family cellar steeped in history and passion
Jean-Pierre Favre died prematurely, leaving behind a family winery steeped in history and producing exceptional wines.
Today, we enthusiastically carry on the legacy they left us. We grow and vinify our grapes with the sole aim of delighting you with the very best wines. Known and recognised for nearly 80 years as the Petite Maison des Grands Vins, we strive to perpetuate this life of passion.
Members of the Favre family (Frédéric and Samuel, Jean-Pierre’s nephews) still work for our company and see, day after day, the respect and heart that today’s team puts into honouring this heritage.
2023 – La Petite Maison des Grands Vins from Sion more than ever
In August 2023, the cellar moved from its historic quarters on Avenue de Tourbillon to the heart of the city of Sion. Now located on Place de la Planta, the cellar opens its doors to you in an unusual place steeped in history, which once housed the Bishop’s Museum. Here, Les Fils de Charles Favre invites you to discover Espace F, a space dedicated to wine tasting, a boutique, a conference room and a barrel cellar containing a new, still-secret wine.
Our Wineyards
Heritage. Because treasuring and respecting our heritage are what makes us who we are.
Clos du Castel d’Or
Unique.
Acquired in 1941 by Charles Favre, this is the oldest of the family’s vineyards. It lies between Sion and Sierre in the heart of the Rhone Valley. It is a hillside of more than 3 hectares with a soil that is rich with alluviums and moraine scree. The vine’s roots can grow down to a depth of ten metres.
The 2.8-hectare vineyard is aired by the breeze that regularly sweeps down the Rhone plain in the afternoon. The Crêtes des Peters vineyard is composed of 24,000 m² of Pinot Noir and 4,000 m² of Diolinoir. At the summit of the hill, which peaks at 547 m, a building known as the Castel d’Or overlooks the vineyard.
Molignon
Bucolic.
Nestled halfway up the hillsides on the right bank of the Rhone, 3.5 km from Sion and next to the hamlet of Molignon, this magnificent 3-hectare terraced vineyard stretches along the Clavau bisse. An ideal setting for nature lovers and hikers, the bisse was built in 1453 to irrigate the cultivations of Sion. Every year, more than 100,000 people hike the trail that is one of the favourite destinations for tourists walking in Valais.
Terraces formed of clay and limestone schists, the Molignon vineyard has always had an excellent reputation. The Molignon vineyard was acquired by the “Small House for Great Wines” in December 2013 to benefit from the best land.
The vines are mostly Merlot, Diolinoir and Chasselas.
Tourbillon
Emblematic.
At the heart of the Valais region, Sion (its capital) is dominated by the emblematic hills of Valère and Tourbillon. Hectares of terraced vines with their dry stone walls cover the hillsides next to the town and enjoy its southerly exposure.
Located in the grounds of Tourbillon Castle, our vineyard is composed of a series of high steps, a particularity that shapes this unique landscape.
These sometimes tiny and sloped parcels are mostly worked by hand, with limited harvests, which offer a real gauge of quality. We cultivate Arvine, Cornalin, Humagne Rouge and Chasselas here.
Montorge
Rustic.
Created in 1964 on the Montorge hillside and acquired by Les Fils de Charles Favre in 1995, this wine cellar is a little gem in the midst of the vineyard. A stone’s throw from the protected site of Montorge and its charming little lake, it enjoys a unique and preserved environment just ten minutes from Sion. Its authentic vintages will thrill connoisseurs and wine buffs seeking out something special.
Cave de Montorge offers a broad range of 10 specialities, almost all available in 50 cl format, under the Cave de Montorge appellation.
Our Spaces
Reception. Because hosting you is a privileged way to introduce you to our creations.
Tasting room
Striking.
Our tasting room in the heart of Sion is a magical place that invites you to explore the world of wine like never before. Whether you come as a small group or a large group, our space is designed to offer unforgettable tastings.
Let yourself be seduced by the enchanting atmosphere of our space, where each bottle tells a unique story. Immerse yourself in the magic of aromas and flavours, guided by our passionate experts.
hc.sn1735578882iv-er1735578882vaf@o1735578882fni1735578882">Reservations on request here
Conference room
Modern.
Discover our meeting room, offering a breathtaking view of our barrel cellar. With a capacity of around 20 people and an interactive screen, it’s the ideal place for your business meetings.
After the meeting, take advantage of the opportunity to organise a tasting of our finest vintages. A unique experience combining work and pleasure awaits you here.
Offers and prices:
- From 4 to 20 people / coffee and croissants included / max. duration 4 h > CHF 150.00
- Free room hire if you book a tasting after the meeting
- Turnkey package: conference room / coffee and croissants / tasting / meal at one of our partner restaurants in Sion > Price on request
Contact us for more information or to discuss a personalised offer to suit your needs: hc.sn1735578882iv-er1735578882vaf@o1735578882fni1735578882