Xavier, you are originally from Marseille but also in love with Valais and now a homeowner in Verbier. What has been your journey and what brought you here?
It was my love for freeride skiing that brought me to Verbier. In fact, I was part of the Swiss water-skiing team in the early 2000s when the Stadlbaur family, water-skiers and chalet owners, introduced me to Verbier. I immediately fell under the spell of its many steep and easily accessible couloirs. I first came to Switzerland in 1998 for professional reasons. I still work for the same consulting firm today as Director for a large international client in the semiconductor industry.
You are a consultant by profession, but you also own your own vineyards in Valais: how do you balance these two activities, and what does winemaking bring you personally?
In my consulting work, I deal with strategic and intangible aspects with senior executives, whereas in the vineyard everything is concrete and tangible. You always have to analyze several factors such as heat, humidity, and weather, and make the right decisions, a bit like in my consulting job. The cellar work / oenology also requires various analyses and tests in order to make the right decisions — all with the aim of creating something concrete: good bottles of wine!
Working with the rhythm of the seasons, early in the morning or late at night, has a special flavor for me: a true decompression chamber, outside of time.
What kind of wine do you produce? Do you have a grape variety or cuvée that you are particularly proud of? And where can one taste your production?
My “Cave Marcel Baillifard” produces small quantities exclusively from very old vines, all under the Valais AOC, at the site known as “La Pseula” above the village of Branson (Fully, VS).
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Fendant Vieilles Vignes (Vines from 1970)
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Petite Arvine Vieilles Vignes (Vines from 1986)
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Gamay Vieilles Vignes (Vines from 1970)
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Rosé de Gamay Vieilles Vignes (Vines from 1970)
I am particularly proud of my Petite Arvine, an emblematic grape variety of Fully, and also of my Gamay, which won the top silver medal in 2022 at my very first cuvée in the official Valais Wine Competition, with a score of 88.4.
My wines can be tasted in iconic places in Fully — such as the Relais des Chasseurs in Chiboz or the Cave 23 Oenothèque — or in Martigny, for example at Le Café National. I need to further develop my presence in Verbier, which will be my objective for 2025/2026!
Verbier residents can order my wines on www.marcelbaillifard.ch/vins/ or contact me directly for home delivery — sometimes with a song included (yes, I really had this request :-).
You are also a musician. Your stage name is Marcel Baillifard, a very Valaisan name… Can you tell us more about this musical project and what it means to you?
Marcel Baillifard represents my love for Valais and its colorful characters, such as Christian Constantin who brilliantly played himself in the music video “Romain et Tintin (sont les meilleurs copains)”, or Christophe Baillifard in “Le Valesco”, not to mention the famous Bedjuis. Three years ago, I would never have imagined the enthusiasm this character would generate in Valais, with 55 concerts in two years, as well as numerous appearances on TV and radio at Rhône FM and several articles in Le Nouvelliste. Long live Marcel! Moreover, a rap clip about Hervé Valette’s “Carbox” allows me to continue this adventure. Who will be next? My musical activities can be found at www.marcelbaillifard.ch.
Verbier attracts a wide variety of profiles. As a resident and member of the APCAV, how do you see the community of property owners here?
I don’t see “one” community but “several” distinct communities, which don’t always interact with each other. The Belgians in Les Esserts, the Swedish quarter above Médran, the English, the Spanish, etc. I would welcome more mixing, which would bring greater richness — and APCAV contributes to this.
Do you have a favorite place or activity in Verbier or the region that you would recommend to other APCAV members?
Having an aperitif at the Maison de la Forêt in La Tzoumaz after skiing the Vallon d’Arbi. And of course, the Raclett’House at Eddy Baillifard’s in Bruson, where I am a regular (don’t forget to ask for the secret dessert from Vernayaz, which is not on the menu).
Finally, what does being a member of APCAV mean to you, and in what way is it useful or enriching?
First of all, APCAV provides me with top-quality information that is useful for my decision-making as a property owner.
Through its representation in important bodies such as the Verbier Development Society and its contacts with elected officials and decision-makers in Verbier, APCAV has a real power of influence to defend my interests.
Finally, the association has enabled me to more easily meet fellow owners with whom I share affinities, and I have even built friendships.
Interview conducted by Brigitte Borel, August 2025