Bernard & Laurent VULLIEZ

Wines, local produce, guest rooms – the Vulliez family has been passionately dedicated to developing their estate in Bourdigny for five generations. Indeed, the ‘Vignolles’ estate offers a wide range of Geneva’s terroir. Recently, Laurent has also been trying his hand at direct sales from the farm. In keeping with the times, father and son possess that inexhaustible farming spirit, passed down from generation to generation.

From dairy farms to vineyards

As for the vineyards, eighteen grape varieties are spread across 30 hectares between Mandement and Lully. Traditional varieties such as Chasselas and Gamay, as well as specialities like Sauvignon, are cultivated with passion and respect for tradition. Indeed, for as long as they can remember, there have always been vines in Bourdigny, even though at the time the hamlet was mainly home to dairy farms. From the mid-1960s onwards, the dairies closed one by one, giving way to a shift towards wine-growing across the whole of the commune of Satigny.

‘We’d like to go there, and we’ll go wherever it takes us; you just do the best you can.’

When father and son talk about their trade, their words seem to reflect a kind of Ramuzian stoicism. Indeed, as a winegrower, nature dictates the work, and acceptance is essential, Laurent points out. The secret lies in constantly adapting, taking nothing for granted and continuing the story that unfolds with the changing seasons. Nature compels us to organise ourselves according to its whims, to rediscover it and to be attuned to it every day. Finally, “It’s not the weather that’s the hardest part – it’s working with your father,” says Laurent with a mischievous yet affectionate smile.

“Being part of La Cave de Genève means we can spend more time in the vineyard – the driving force behind our passion.”

Proud to be part of a collective, Bernard and Laurent appreciate the many synergies between the winegrowers. “We’re all in the same line of work, striving towards the same goal,” explains Laurent. Over time, strong bonds and friendships have formed, particularly during the grape harvest. We all gather happily over a glass of Chasselas Vieilles Vignes to share and celebrate the fruits of our labour. As the co-operative handles the marketing, it leaves us free to stay as close to nature as possible.