Completer

Completer's story stretches back over a millennium. Viticulture in Graubünden is documented as early as 765 CE, and Completer itself was first recorded in 1321 in the village of Malans, near Chur. The grape takes its name from 'Completorium', the final prayer of the Benedictine daily cycle, as monks traditionally drank this wine at the close of their day. The legendary Completerhalde vineyard in Malans has been home to Completer vines for more than 1,000 years. As tastes shifted away from the traditional oxidative, sherry-like style, demand collapsed and the variety came perilously close to extinction. A committed revival effort beginning in the late 1990s has brought it back from the brink.

• First documented reference dates to 1321 in Malans, near Chur
• Name derives from 'Completorium', the Benedictine evening prayer
• Viticulture in Graubünden documented from as early as 765 CE
• Near-extinction followed a decline in demand for the old oxidative style; revival began in the late 1990s

Completer is grown almost exclusively in the Bündner Herrschaft subregion of Graubünden, Switzerland's largest canton by area. The region benefits from a continental Alpine climate tempered by the protective effect of the Rhine Valley, which moderates temperatures and enables viticulture at elevations of 500 to 600 metres above sea level. Autumns are characteristically long, cool, and dry, conditions that suit this late-ripening variety perfectly. Soils vary by location: primary rock with high slate or limestone content at higher elevations, and heavy clay and gravel in the valley floors. Total plantings cover a mere 1.7 hectares.

• Grown in the Bündner Herrschaft appellation of Graubünden, eastern Switzerland
• Continental Alpine climate; Rhine Valley moderates temperatures
• Vineyards sit at 500 to 600 metres above sea level
• Soils include slate, limestone, clay, and gravel depending on elevation

Completer produces rich, full-bodied white wines defined by high natural acidity and a complex aromatic profile. The traditional style involved oxidative aging in large casks, yielding wines with a pronounced nutty, sherry-like character. The modern revival has embraced a fresher approach, with some residual sugar that highlights the grape's fruity and floral qualities. Expect aromas and flavours of quince, greengage, honey, citrus, and hazelnut, with floral undertones. Comparisons to Grand Cru Burgundy, Chablis, and Mosel Riesling reflect the variety's structural weight and aromatic depth. Annual production remains tiny, at roughly 1,200 to 1,800 bottles, though producers believe output could eventually reach 5,000 to 6,000 bottles per year.

• Traditional style: oxidatively aged in large casks, resembling dry sherry
• Modern style: fresher, with residual sugar and fruity, floral character
• Flavour notes include quince, greengage, honey, citrus, hazelnut, and florals
• High natural acidity and full body; compared to Grand Cru Burgundy and Mosel Riesling

Completer is a late-ripening indigenous Swiss variety, typically harvested in late October or November. It goes by numerous synonyms across different localities, including Malanstraube, Malanserrebe, Lindauer, and Zürirebe, reflecting its historic distribution across German-speaking Switzerland. The variety is genetically notable as the parent grape of Lafnetscha, grown in the neighbouring Valais canton, and has family connections to Italian varieties Marzemino and Pignolo Spano. Remarkably, wild feral vines of Completer still exist and continue to be used in winemaking, underscoring the variety's deep-rooted presence in the region.

• Late-ripening; harvest takes place in late October or November
• Numerous synonyms including Malanstraube, Malanserrebe, Lindauer, and Zürirebe
• Parent grape to Lafnetscha of Valais; related to Italian Marzemino and Pignolo Spano
• Wild feral vines still survive and contribute to winemaking

Despite the tiny area under vine, several dedicated producers champion Completer in the Bündner Herrschaft. Domaine Donatsch and Weinbau Thomas Studach are among the most respected names working with this variety. Completer-Kellerei, a producer specifically devoted to the grape, Roman Hermann, and Weingut Fromm round out the small community of growers committed to preserving and advancing this extraordinary rarity.

• Domaine Donatsch: leading Graubünden estate with a strong Completer focus
• Weinbau Thomas Studach: respected regional producer
• Completer-Kellerei: dedicated to the single variety
• Roman Hermann and Weingut Fromm also produce notable examples