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Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva Marks Women’s Day with a Unique Culinary Experience Showcasing Innovative Cuisine and Wines by Three Inspirational Female Producers

The Hotel celebrates three female Swiss winemakers who are role models in the wine industry

February 13, 2023,

Geneva, Switzerland

To honour International Women’s Day, Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva has launched a special collaboration with three Swiss female winegrowers. On March 8, 2023, the Hotel will host a gala dinner at Il Lago to shine a special light on three inspiring female role models who are talents in their field, daily bringing enthusiasm and passion to everything they do. Winemaking has, historically, been a male-dominated industry, where women have been excluded from positions of leadership. The gala dinner seeks to showcase exceptional Swiss wines made exclusively by female producers.

“It is a real privilege to showcase the wines of three remarkable female winemakers dedicated to growing the best grapes to produce excellent quality wines,” comments Salvatore Salerno, Restaurant Director of Il Lago. “We selected three wineries from different cantons – Vaud, Valais and Grisons – to reflect the very best of Swiss terroir. The three producers span three generations, highlighting the dynamism and determination of Swiss women in the wine industry. All three are fervent advocates of biodynamic methods, striving to keep in tune with nature.”

Chef Massimiliano Sena has created a seven-course menu, with dishes marrying with carefully selected wines from the three estates. The menu includes multi-coloured ravioli with Italian salt cod, and beetroot risotto with sweetbreads and balsamic vinegar. The three winegrowers will be present during the gala dinner to introduce their wines and shed light on their philosophy and values as winegrowers.

The Winemakers

Laura Paccot, Winery Owner, Domaine La Colombe - Domaine La Colombe is located in Féchy, a small Swiss village that sits on a hillside in Vaud, where grapevines have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today in its fourth generation, the winery is run by Laura Paccot, who sees herself as an ambassador for Chasselas, the most important grape variety in the region. The winery prides itself on its biodynamic approach to winemaking, with strictly no use of chemical herbicides nor insecticides, and grapes harvested manually.

Ludivine Sper, Vineyard Manager, Domaine Chappaz - Domaine Chappaz in Fully in the Canton of Valais is a highly regarded Swiss winery whose wines are much sought after and enjoyed by connoisseurs around the world. Producing biodynamic wines since 1997, Marie Thérèse Chappaz’s family estate has expanded from 2.5 to almost 20 acres. Vinification practices are as natural as possible, using indigenous yeast and minimal intervention. Ludivine was named Winemaker of the Year in 1996 and Icon of Swiss wine in 2016 by French restaurant guide Gault et Millau. Her wines have won numerous awards.

Annatina Pelizzatti, Winery Owner, Annatina Pelizzatti - Annatina Pelizzatti continues her family’s long winemaking tradition in Jenins on Domaine Pelizzatti’s 10-acre estate, balancing long-established tradition with innovation. Annatina’s wines are among the best in Bündner Herrschaft, the most important wine-growing region in the Canton of Grisons. Domaine Pelizzatti prides itself on its sustainable approach to winemaking.

Chef’s Table at Il Lago

Following the gala dinner, Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues will continue to honour the work and commitment of each winemaker. Throughout the month of March, Il Lago will offer three dishes of the day, each paired with a wine by one of the three winemakers, offering diners the opportunity to discover three different wines produced by exceptional Swiss winemakers.

On three Thursdays following the gala dinner, groups of up to 10 diners can experience an unforgettable culinary experience at the Chef’s Table, with four tasting dishes crafted by Chef Sena paired with a vertical wine tasting by one of the three winemakers. Each Thursday, the owner/manager of one of the wineries will be present to talk diners through the wines that will be enjoyed that evening.