06.07.2024

Gaudenz Thürer the man behind the Thürer Weine cellar

The beginning of my journey was not by chance, because even as a small boy I took part in the grape harvest at the master winemaker Peter Wegelin in Malans and every year I was happy to be part of this event.

At the age of 14, Peter Wegelin allowed me to carry out my first independent work in his cellar, so that I only had one goal in mind when choosing a career: I wanted to become a winemaker.

In 1997 I began my three-year winegrowing apprenticeship, and every year I moved a little further away from my parents' house. I completed the first year of my apprenticeship in Zizers on Manfred Meier's winery, the second year of my apprenticeship in Unterstammheim in the canton of Zurich with Ruedi and Käthi Frei and the third year of my apprenticeship took me to the winery of the Teutsch family in Ligerz in the canton of Bern.

After successfully completing my apprenticeship as a winemaker, I worked for a few months on the wineries of Paul Komminoth in Maienfeld and Daniel Eberle in Walenstadt and I was able to gain experience both in the Wingert and in the pressing work.

Since October 1st, 2001 I have been working for the Weinhaus Cottinelli in Malans. Here, as well as at the affiliated company Plozza SA from Brusio/Tirano, I was able to complete my second apprenticeship as a wine technologist. Since 2004 I have been responsible for 22 hectares of vines at Weinhaus Cottinelli in Malans.

In the years 2006 to 2009, I completed the master school in Wädenswil while I was working and I obtained the federal certificate for winegrowers. In addition to being responsible for the vines, I have also been production manager since autumn 2011, I was responsible for grape production and the pressing of all wines from the Cottinelli winery.

In autumn 2010 I founded my own company "Thürer Weine". Three winegrowers from Maienfeld sell me Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which are produced exactly according to my wishes. Working independently and with the experience I have gained over the past few years, I process these grapes into fine wines.

In 2016 and 2017, the appearance of "Thürer Weine" was redesigned. The homepage and the label have been completely revised. Only the noble mythical animal, the unicorn, which adorns the label, has been retained.

The passion for wine and the original product, the grapes, is also inherent in my grape suppliers. They have been tending their vines for years according to the strict rules of integrated production (IP). The professional experience of my partners, my know-how and gentle pressing based on modern technology and old tradition have produced wines that fear no comparison.

Passion for work and respect for nature are important prerequisites for producing high quality wine creations.

This is one of the reasons why the unicorn, the heraldic animal of the Thürer family, can be found on the label of my wines. After all, the unicorn is considered the noblest of all mythical animals and is a symbol of goodness.

 

 

white wines

Thürer Gewürztraminer AOC 2022/23 _ Gewürztraminer ¦ Maienfeld ¦ Grisons

The Thürer Gewürztraminer - the outsider white wine from the Thürer wine range. It impresses with its typical straw yellow color. This Gewürztraminer has a wonderful scent of roses and lychee. On the palate it has a pleasant acidity with a slight tartness at the end. A nice aperitif wine or accompaniment to food. The Gewürztraminer grapes are carefully picked by hand. Fermentation and aging traditionally take place in steel tanks; the wine is pressed without fermentation. It goes perfectly with creamy cheeses or Asian and spicy dishes.

Thürer Blanc de Noir AOC 2022 _ Pinot Noir ¦ Maienfeld ¦ Grisons

The Thürer Blanc de Noir - the exotic white wine from the Thürer wine range - with a reddish shimmer is made from the Pinot Noir grape. This Blanc de Noir has a wonderfully fresh scent of raspberries and a pleasant, if not cheeky, acidity. The juice is drawn off directly from the red wine mash, so the color remains light. The aging takes place in stainless steel tanks. A nice summer and aperitif wine! It goes well with Grisons platters, fish and Asian dishes.

 

red wines

Thürer Sélection AOC 2021 _ Pinot Noir ¦ Maienfeld ¦ Grisons

This Pinot Noir - the cheeky one - impresses with its crimson colour. Thanks to the gentle pressing, a fruity, lovely Pinot Noir has emerged. Fine raspberry and blackberry aromas can be felt on the nose. It goes well with capuns, crustaceans or Italian dishes.

 

Thürer Barrique AOC 2019 _ Pinot Noir ¦ Maienfeld ¦ Grisons

The Pinot Noir Barrique - the rowdy - thrives in the best location in Maienfeld. The wine is stored for 12 months in selected new and used 225 liter French oak barrels. It has a noble wood note and is very full-bodied on the palate. The Pinot Noir Barrique goes well with red meat and exquisite meals such as lamb, Grisons specialties and game.

 

Thürer Dark Mystery VdP 2021  _ Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon ¦ Maienfeld ¦ Grisons

Dark Mystery – is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the nose one perceives the blackcurrant and a fine roasted note. On the palate it has an elegant tannin structure with an intense long finish. An atypical wine from Graubünden. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are carefully harvested by hand. The fermentation takes place in 500 liter stands. Both varieties are expanded separately. The Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 12 months in French oak, the Merlot for 12 months in American oak, and then assembled.