Winemaker
Charles Rolaz
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Rolle, Switzerland
i. Biography
Coming Up
Swiss wine governance, rather than cellar spectacle, defined the early public work of Charles Rolaz. As president of the commission of the 1ers Grands Crus at commission of the 1ers Grands Crus in Switzerland, he operated close to the standards that separate top-tier classification from the rest of the field. The later move to chair of the board at Hammel SA in Switzerland extended that remit into an institutional setting tied to the country’s wine landscape. His role as president at Mémoire des vins suisses in Lausanne, Switzerland added preservation to oversight, with Rolaz’s name attached to the bodies that help frame how Swiss wine is organized and remembered.
Where They Are Now
House direction is the current brief at Hammel – Terres de Vins, where Charles Rolaz leads as CEO. The role sits at the point where heritage, continuity, and commercial judgment have to align, and the title places him in direct responsibility for that balance. In practice, it is a position that keeps production identity and strategic decision-making under one roof.
Signature
Charles's signature wines include Ligne Prestige Brut, Ligne Prestige Rosé Brut NV, Cuvée Charles Auguste, Exelsis Rouge, and Exelsis Blanc. Together, these names move across sparkling and still formats, with Brut, Rosé Brut NV, and the named cuvée marking different registers within the range. The portfolio reads as a structured set rather than a single-note release, and Charles’s name appears in the lineup as part of that house language.
Honors
Recognition here sits with Hammel – Terres de Vins, Hammel SA, and Maison Hammel in Rolle. Those names are the frame for Charles Rolaz’s standing, and they point to a career formed inside related wine businesses rather than in isolated appointments. The acknowledgment attached to these entities reflects sustained work within a Swiss context that values continuity, institutional memory, and measured stewardship.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Charles
What is Charles Rolaz's current role?
As of 2026, Charles Rolaz is CEO.
Where did Charles Rolaz work before?
Charles Rolaz's earlier career included commission of the 1ers Grands Crus, Hammel SA, and Mémoire des vins suisses.
What is Charles Rolaz known for?
He turned the traditional Maison Hammel in Rolle into an innovative wine workshop.
