Déborah & Patrick WEGMULLER

It is in Jussy that you can meet Déborah and Patrick, a couple who are as much in tune with each other in their private lives as they are at work. Their vineyards are mainly situated in the village of Jussy and, across their 12 hectares, they grow, amongst others, Riesling Silvaner, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay, Garanoir and Merlot. As well as the vineyard, they run a farm shop open six days a week, thanks to a self-service machine that allows you to buy quality produce such as vegetable baskets, asparagus, fruit, tomato sauces and homemade jams. It’s fair to say that for Déborah and Patrick, this profession is a family affair: all eight of their grandparents were farmers! Together, they have developed their fruit and asparagus cultivation, as well as their direct sales. They are a couple who also know how to adapt to different situations and reassess their ideals when necessary. And they do it all, always together.

In their view, patience, diligence and, above all, passion are the essential qualities a winegrower must possess. And they certainly have plenty of passion for their craft!

Down to earth

Déborah began her career at the Lullier School of Horticulture, then travelled for a while to Canada, the Bahamas and New York before working in Zurich in the floriculture sector, and subsequently choosing to study agronomy at the Lullier School of Engineering. She tells us, with a smile, that she preferred to continue her studies in Geneva rather than in German-speaking Switzerland after meeting Patrick.​

Patrick, for his part, studied agriculture in Valais to obtain his first Federal Certificate of Competence. He went on to gain a second Federal Certificate of Competence in viticulture. Not content to stop there, he went on to obtain his Federal Diploma. He has always been a winegrower at La Cave de Genève, just like his father, in fact. For him, La Cave perfectly embodies cooperation and solidarity.

What Déborah enjoys most about her work is the pruning season. She finds the atmosphere peaceful, allowing her to prune in complete tranquillity. She jokes that if the fog rolls in, it’s even better, as no one will be able to see her. What she enjoys a little less is the administrative side of things. Patrick adds that the grape harvest is a wonderful time that allows them to reap the rewards of their year’s labour. He also enjoys the variety of tasks, which change with the seasons.

Sweet childhood memories

As an aside, Patrick tells us that he didn’t like the vineyard at all when he was a child. In fact, he saw having to go there as a punishment. However, little by little, he got to know it, grew to appreciate it, and came to love it deeply and sincerely.

Their hearts beat for…

When asked which wine is their favourite, they are unanimous: it’s the Clémence Cabernet Franc that takes the crown. Paired with a good rib of beef, it’s a guaranteed treat! The Chasselas and Pinot Blanc are also among their favourites.

As for the future, their hope for their profession is that Geneva’s wines will be more widely recognised for their quality, but also that the people of Geneva will develop a genuine attachment to their beautiful vineyards.