Winning the Swiss Economic Award in 2010 and featuring on the list of Top 100 Swiss Entrepreneurs Under 40 in 2022, Fabio Cattaneo is a force to be reckoned with. Following stints at top fine wine distributers in London, Hong Kong, and Switzerland, Fabio founded AVU SA in 2017. He has since grown it into one of Europe's leading fine wine merchants, with stocks comprising over 600,000 bottles of the world’s top wines.
Fabio sheds light on some of Switzerland’s leading producers and divulges his affinity for half bottles.
Wine Lister: Tell us about your current "house wine".
Fabio Cattaneo: I don’t have a dedicated house wine - I enjoy exploring and I often adapt my tipple of choice to the season. Right now, I’m particularly drawn to Barolo and Barbaresco, but Bordeaux remains my ultimate go-to, making up about 70% of what I open. I enjoy a few glasses in the evening, and during the week I’m a big fan of half bottles. They’re perfect but difficult to find so I buy them en primeur. I now have quite lot of back vintages ready to drink.
WL: What do you drink when you're not drinking wine?
FC: I usually only drink water when I am not drinking wine, but I do enjoy a coffee at work - not only for the taste but also as an excuse to take a break, stretch my legs, connect with colleagues, and recharge my mind.
WL: What does "fine wine" mean to you?
FC: To me, fine wine is a true expression of its terroir: complex, elegant, and capable of evolving beautifully in the glass. But ultimately, a fine wine is defined by the emotions it evokes. It’s that connection, that moment of pure enjoyment, that makes it truly special.
WL: The best restaurant wine list in your area?
FC: Switzerland boasts many fantastic wine lists, but the real treasures are often hidden gems in the mountains or more peripheral locations. These spots still offer great Bordeaux from the ’80s and ’90s at surprisingly attractive prices - a true delight for any wine lover!
WL: What emerging region are you most excited about?
FC: Switzerland has no shortage of exceptional winemakers - in Valais, Graubünden (Grison), and Ticino you’ll find some truly fantastic wines. Each region brings unique character to its wines, from the alpine freshness of Valais to the elegance of Graubünden Pinot Noirs and the bold Merlots of Ticino.
WL: What is your standing on natural wine?
FC: I appreciate the philosophy behind natural wine, but I’ve yet to encounter one that resonates with my palate.
WL: Your go-to wine shop in your area?
FC: It’s actually our own warehouse! We have an enormous amount of stock - and I often spend hours just deciding what I’d like to drink - it’s like being a kid in a candy store!
WL: If you could share a glass of wine with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you drink?
FC: I have always dreamed of going back in time, and I would find it very interesting to share a glass of wine with Leonardo da Vinci. His curiosity and genius spanned so many fields, and I’d love to hear his insights over a glass of an elegant Tuscan Sangiovese - a wine that existed in his time.
WL: If you weren't working in wine, what would you be doing?
FC: I’d likely be in IT. I have a deep passion for it and even studied coding. Technology has always been a big part of my life, and still is as our company invests a lot in IT.
WL: To finish, can you share with our readers one producer to watch?
FC: Dominio del Águila in Ribera del Duero produces some extraordinary wines, I recently had an incredible bottle of 2014 Dominio del Aguila Canta la Perdiz which was just magic. Unfortunately, the production is minuscule.
