Three vines for the Dalai Lama: This Swiss town has the smallest vineyard in the world

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Colline Ardente, with views of Saillon Castle, has 1,618 square meters of Fendant, Petite Arvine and Pinot noir stock. The mini-domain is officially the smallest vineyard in the world as it is entered in the land register. The jewel is dedicated to the forger Joseph-Samuel Farinet (1845–1880). The “Robin Hood of the Alps” distributed fake 20 piastres to the public and in return received support and protection from his followers as well as the authorities.

A third of the 20 Räpplers on the market are said to be “Farinet”. This prompted action by the Federal Council, which tasked the cantonal government of Valais with putting an end to counterfeiting. Hunted by gendarmes, Farinet died under unclear circumstances on April 17, 1880.

Three vines for a folk hero

100 years later, the tiny Farinet vineyard, which has belonged to the Dalai Lama since 1999, was erected in the folk hero’s honor. Fendant, Petite Arvine and Pinot noir are grown with great support by Saillon winemakers.

Nearly 1,000 celebrities, including Roger Moore, Claudia Cardinale and Zinédine Zidane, have already made the pilgrimage to Colline Ardente to prune vines, tie off shoots, do leaf work, weed and harvest. At the end of a day’s work in the world’s smallest vineyard, a glass of wine and a piece of bread are as much a part of the ritual as a rifle fired in honor of Farinet and a cry for freedom.

1000 bottles of wine made from three deciliters

The yield is as small as the bond area. After the grape harvest, approximately three deciliters of must are pressed directly in the vineyard. Each year they pour through 750 liters of wine, sponsored by a different winemaker from Saillon. 1000 bottles are sold each spring. All proceeds will be donated to charities. The 2022 vintage model will be released this spring. The sales price will be around 25 francs, as in previous years.

Source : Blick