Simon Maye & Fils

Profile de Producteur | Valais, Suisse

Simon Maye & Fils, established in 1948 by Simon Maye and now run by his sons Axel and Jean-François, has become one of the most respected names in Swiss wine. Based in Chamoson, in the Valais, the domaine cultivates 11.5 ha of vines across the alluvial cone of Chamoson and the slopes of Ardon.

At Simon Maye matching grape varieties to the most suitable site is of central importance. This  approach, focused on meticulous topographical analysis, has produced some of Switzerland’s most distinguished wines. The Syrah Vieilles Vignes in particular has gained a reputation as a benchmark — concentrated yet mildly spiced, with mineral depth and most of all, a remarkable sense of place. The Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes is no less impressive, consistently precise, elegant, and true to the varietal.

Viticulture chez Maye is thoughtful and carried out with a light touch, rooted in harmony with the land and climate. In the cellar, fermentations are mostly spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, extractions handled with real restraint to privilege finesse over power. Élevage is tailored to the variety: Syrah and Pinot Noir see time in oak (a mix of barriques and larger foudres, with a judicious proportion of new wood), while whites are largely raised in stainless steel to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. The goal at Simon Maye is not produce volume but typicity and authenticity, producing wines that stand as first, as faithful expressions of Valais terroir and second, as some of the  most successful and sought-after wines that Switzerland has to offer .