From majestic mountain peaks to majestic wines

On the glacier one day and among his vines the next. Patrick Z’Brun is a mountain guide and winegrower to his fingertips. What connects the two worlds is their dependence on nature – and a fascination with its power.

Valais – a region of superlatives

Switzerland has 48 peaks that rise above the 4,000m mark. 45 of these are in Valais. As well as the country’s highest mountains, the canton is also home to the Great Aletsch Glacier – the longest outlet glacier in the Alps. And that’s not all: Valais is also the largest winegrowing region in Switzerland. 

The call of the mountains

“I have been fascinated by these magnificent mountains ever since childhood,” ​enthuses Patrick Z‘Brun from Valais. “I also feel a deep sense of respect for the elemental forces of nature.” Patrick was eleven years old when he first stood on the summit of one of these 4,000-metre mountains. At the age of 20, he became the youngest person to qualify as a trained mountain guide, and at 45 he climbed the highest mountain in the world.

Patrick Z’Brun has been a mountain guide for almost 40 years. He gains a real sense of joy and satisfaction from taking people out of their comfort zone and into the wilds of nature. “Those who have never been to this majestic landscape of ​mountains and glaciers before are quite simply overwhelmed by what they find here.”

Fare trekking sul grande ghiacciaio dell’Aletsch è un’esperienza unica che ti fa provare da vicino l’energia della natura in tutta la sua potenza. Vallese

Embark on an icy adventure

The edge of the glacier below the Märjelensee lakes is a world away from the hot summer temperatures in the Rhône Valley. An icy wind is blowing from the Jungfraujoch across the mighty outlet glacier. Patrick Z‘Brun explains to his guests how to put on the climbing harnesses and spikes. One by one, they are all attached to the rope. The excitement is slowly mounting. The glacier novices listen carefully to Patrick’s instructions. Then it’s finally time to set out onto the mighty ice.

Trekking across the mighty giant

The Great Aletsch Glacier snakes majestically downwards between steep cliff faces towards the valley. On either side, lofty peaks reach proudly for the sky. At 23 kilometres in length, it is the longest and largest outlet glacier in the Alps. “Looking across from the Eggishorn (2,927 metres above sea level), you would never guess that it contains such deep fissures,” says one of his guests in amazement. Even Patrick never ceases to be amazed by the sheer magnitude of the glacier.

A traditional glass of wine at the summit

Unique mountain experiences offer moments of true exhilaration. Valais residents like to toast such moments with a glass of local wine. Patrick upholds this tradition by taking a bottle of wine in his rucksack with him on each mountain tour. And not just any wine – but his own.

 

Patrick si prende cura del suo vigneto per ottenere del buon vino. Vallese. Svizzera

Majestic wines

It’s not just in climbing terms that Patrick aims high. Since entering the wine business, he and his team have chalked up over 150 awards for their viticultural creations. “We are lucky that the local terroir is perfect for pinot noir grapes,”​ explains Z’Brun. The soil in the region contains lime and magnesium, making it ideal for this grape variety. 15,000 years ago, the Rhône Glacier covered the valley floor here. Today, the diversity of the soil and the sunny, dry climate provide favourable conditions for first-class wines.

Published : May 2020
Source : myswitzerland.com

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