Laurence DUEZ PITTET

Russin, a charming country village, is home to the vineyards of the dynamic Laurence. Across two hectares, she grows Chasselas, Gamay, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. As well as tending her vines and handling direct sales, she manages the farm’s events programme, as well as its five guest rooms. When visitors stay at her farm, thanks to Laurence and her family, they have the chance to discover local produce, for which she is the perfect ambassador.

A winemaker bursting with energy!

After spending a few moments with Laurence, you can’t help but notice her warm, friendly nature and genuine authenticity. Simplicity is a concept Laurence places great emphasis on. She tells us that she does everything she can to make her guests feel at home when they stay in her rooms.

Laurence believes that to be a good winemaker, you need to be tenacious and adaptable, but above all, you must love your work.

If you’re lucky enough to bump into Laurence and have a chat with her, you’ll soon find yourself wondering how and when she finds the time to do it all! She juggles preparing breakfast for her guests, events on the farm, work in the vineyard and her family life. On top of all that, she’s a member of the Russin Association of Farmers’ Wives and Rural Women, sits on the committee for the Russin Grape Harvest Festival, and still manages to find a little time for sport. It’s as if she never stops.

A journey like no other

This may come as a surprise to you, but Laurence used to be a medical laboratory technician and worked as the manager of a medical analysis laboratory for 19 years. She subsequently practised alternative medicine before taking over the family business and devoting herself to her guesthouse and the events held there. Since 2011, she has also taken on the role of chair of AgriAccueil, an organisation dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of agritourism in Geneva.

“In summer, it’s buzzing!”

What she loves most about her job is the interaction and the meaningful exchanges with people. And she really does love people – you can tell. When we ask Laurence about her favourite season, she replies, without a moment’s hesitation, that it’s summer. The bright colours and the blossoming of nature make this a season full of life.

The past and the future

It was when her father took over the estate that the family became winegrowers at La Cave de Genève. Her grandfather, for his part, kept livestock and cultivated a few vines. She loves to think back on the lovely moments when all the winegrowers would get together after the grape harvest. In fact, she still enjoys catching up with her colleagues and the staff at La Cave to share lovely moments together, over wines such as Infini or Cœur de Clémence, which she is particularly fond of.

For future generations, she hopes that the profession will become increasingly straightforward and that it will enable them not only to make a living, but also to flourish. She adds that more work is still needed to ensure that the Geneva countryside – and wine tourism in particular – are recognised for their true worth.