The partnership between the Gregor Kuonen family winery from Salgesch and Jungfrau Railways represents a merging of tradition and innovation. Humagne Blanche is one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties in Valais. Since March 2022, the exclusive wine has been maturing in five oak barrels in a unique ice vault in the Ice Palace on the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. Or as David Volken, glaciologist and wine ambassador, sums it up: “Highest wine storage in the Alps in the largest glacier in the Alps.”

On Tuesday, 18 April, the time had come: The first vintage of “3454 – Reine des Glaces” was finally tasted at an exclusive event on the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. Jungfrau Railways Director Urs Kessler explains: “With our exclusive whisky, balsamic and now also wine in the eternal ice at 3,454 metres above sea level, tradition and modernity merge into a unique pleasure experience.”

For maturing to succeed, perfect conditions are needed on site. “With constant temperatures around freezing point and 90 per cent humidity, the Jungfraujoch Ice Palace offers ideal ripening conditions for our Humagne Blanche,” says Patrick Revey, Managing Director of the Gregor Kuonen Winery. Humagne Blanche produces wines of unexpected fullness and elegance.

Among others, Swiss handball star and Jungfrau Railways brand ambassador Andy Schmid also enjoyed a glass of the Glacier Queen at the ice bar. He was able to see for himself that the “3454 – Reine des Glaces” captivates with a shimmering golden yellow colour, with gentle acidity and a long finish.

The “3454 – Reine des Glaces” is available now and can be pre-booked in the online shop of the Gregor Kuonen Winery at www.3454.ch. A limited number is also available at the “Top of Europe” shop on the Jungfraujoch. A bottle (750 ml) costs 99 Swiss francs (1.5 l magnum: 249 Swiss francs).