Definition: Plant Robert - Plant Robez - Plant Robaz

A grape variety similar to Gamay, yet more than just Gamay, it has a rich history. This purely local grape variety has survived thanks to two winegrowers, Pierre Paley in Epesses, who preserved it, and Robert Monnier in Cully. The latter, realising that a precious cultural heritage was disappearing along with the grape variety, took cuttings from the last vines cultivated by his friend in 1965 and grew them at his own vineyard. All the Plant Robert vines grown confidentially in Lavaux, between Aran, Vilette and Epesses (3.6 hectares in 2003), are direct descendants of Robert Monnier's selection. The name comes from the verb "rober", meaning to steal. To ensure that this speciality, which is only found in Lavaux, reaches the market under the name Plant Robert, a group of winegrowers (19 members in 2003) have joined forces to draw up a quality charter containing strict rules for its production, thus protecting the Plant Robert speciality.

See Plant Robert entry.