Domaine Donatsch

The Domaine Donatsch and the "Winzerstube zum Ochsen" inn in Malans have been owned by the Donatsch family since 1897. Thomas Donatsch was considered a revolutionary in Swiss viticulture. As early as the early 1970s, he began vinifying his Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in French pièces, following the Burgundian model. Thomas Donatsch's close friendship with André Noblet, the late cellar master of the famous Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, encouraged him to do so. During this time, he also brought many new vinification methods and new varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to Switzerland. He and his son Martin also revived the almost extinct Malans original variety Completer from its slumber in the early 1990s, which is experiencing a huge hype in Switzerland today and is increasingly being cultivated again. In 2019, Thomas Donatsch received the "Prix Ami du Vin" for his life's work and was honoured by Gault&Millau with the title "Icon of Swiss Wine".

in 2001, son Martin Donatsch returned to Malans after internships at various wineries around the world. In addition to his favourite varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he is increasingly devoting himself to the indigenous Completer variety. Martin Donatsch represents the fifth generation in the winery and has been honoured as a two-time world champion Pinot Noir producer. Donatsch wines have become an integral part of the wine lists of the nation's starred restaurants and are sought-after rarities even in Switzerland. Only a few bottles leave the country's borders for Europe, Asia and the USA. Highly rated by international wine critics, Donatsch wines regularly achieve record prices at wine auctions.