Stories of Passion and Dedication
CARPASUS Portrait: Philipp Grob
Philipp Grob is a winemaker from St. Gallen who specialises in natural wines. His wines are untamed, expressive. He cultivates three vineyards in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. By letting the grapes ferment spontaneously, not adding sulfur or other additives and refraining from filtration he creates authentic natural wines with a unique character.
We met Philipp in his wine cellar just behind the historic city walls of St. Gallen's old-town for a chat.
If you could name an object, that describes you and your work, what would it be?
That’s an easy one. I have two things in my pocket. On the one hand, a corkscrew – something that you can take out when you’re thirsty. And the second would be a good bottle of wine. (laughs)
Tell us who you are and what you do.
My name is Philipp Grob, I’m 43 years old. I live with my family in St. Gallen and I’ve been making wine for seven years.
And what drives you?
Making wine is a little bit like life itself. You never know exactly how it will turn out. In winter, it starts with pruning the grapevines – and from then on, you accompany the grapevines through all the seasons until the grapes are ripe, pressed, and finally turned into wine. It’s a process that takes time and that you can never fully control - because of the weather for example. It's like accompanying a child that grows into an adult with its very own character. That’s exactly what makes it so exciting for me.
Making wine is a little bit like life itself. You never know exactly how it will turn out.
How did you find your passion?
Around 15 years ago I was travelling through different parts of the world and got the opportunity to make my first own wine in Wallis. The result was so good that I found the courage to do it by myself. Today, I am an actual winemaker My vines grow in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, and my cellar is here in the city of St. Gallen. I taught myself everything from scratch. When making wine, I deliberately leave out certain things – and I do a lot things a little differently than the mainstream.
What did you do before?
Originally, I did an apprenticeship in plastics technology. Then I studied mechanical engineering and worked in industry for about twelve years. At some point, I reached a stage where I wanted something different – so I moved into the hospitality industry. That was my first step toward becoming self-employed.
I ran a bar and ended up in the cocktail scene - offering cocktail catering among other things. On the side, I worked as a bike courier – wild times, full of stories! All these experiences eventually came together naturally to form what I do today: wild winemaking.
On the side, I worked as a bike courier – wild times, full of stories!
What does your passion mean to you?
Happiness and satisfaction. I’m more balanced, I’m able work outside in nature and make my own decisions. I am independent.
Where do you take your inspiration from?
The way I make wine constantly pushes me to my limits. These kinds of challenges force me to find new approaches, reorient myself, and look for solutions. That’s exactly what brings vitality to my work. It keeps me moving. Every year, I can – and have to – try something new. Also because I don’t want to serve a market that constantly expects the same from me.
This experimentation, this freedom in my daily work – that is my greatest inspiration.
What are your challenges?
For example, the question of how to bring my wine to people. How to market it.
A good wine [...] should spark something. Maybe a conversation. Maybe it helps to address a relationship issue. It that case it can help ease tensions - a bit like taking walk.
What makes a good wine in your opinion?
A good wine reveals itself when you notice that the bottle is empty sooner than you wanted (laughs). It is smooth, complex – and it should spark something. Maybe a conversation. Maybe it helps to address a relationship issue. In that case it can help ease tensions - a bit like taking a walk.
It’s interesting that you describe wine more as something that sets things in motion – not as something that has to taste a certain way.
I am convinced that everything you consume triggers something. Just like an encounter with a person can spark something. You might wonder why you met that particular person. Encounters, food – or even well-made clothing – can set something in motion within you. With clothing, it might be the feeling of being warm, comfortable, and at ease in your own skin.
Was there a person or experience that had a particularly strong influence on you?
About ten years ago, I worked for Markus Ruch, a winemaker. My pay was a few bottles of wine. One day, he poured me two glasses and said: ‘Philipp, next week, when you come back, tell me what you think of this.’ That was an eye-opening moment. For the first time, I understood the difference between conventionally produced wines and natural wines. A door opened for me – both sensorially and internally. That experience opened up new paths for me.
That was an eye-opening moment. For the first time, I understood the difference between conventionally produced wines and natural wines.
Are there rituals or other habits that help you stay creative and motivated?
Yes, I work according to the rhythm of the moon. I do certain things during the waning moon and other things during the waxing moon. It gives me a routine and frees me from the pressure to get everything done immediately.
What things do you do at which phase of the moon?
For example, I only prune the vines during certain moon phases to further influence their growth. This isn’t empirically proven – it’s more a feeling that guides my actions.
I appreciate the authenticity of a few (exchanged) genuine words. They build relationships, create opportunities, and open up new possibilities.
What role do fashion and clothing play for you?
Fashion used to be extremely important to me, especially as a way to express my own personality. I went pretty extreme – wearing the tightest jeans ever. Back then, of course, that was fashionable (laughs). Paired with leather ties and nice leather boots and all that... (laughs).
I think it was a process of finding my personality. Today, practicality comes first for me. I still pay attention to a certain aesthetic and have colors I prefer. The materials are also very important to me. I only wear natural materials – nothing synthetic. I can’t stand that..
Which values do you find particularly important in your interactions with other people and with the environment?
For me, it’s very important to have harmonious relationships. I am a peaceful person. What I enjoy is talking with people, even if it’s just for a short time. I appreciate the authenticity of a few genuine words. They build relationships, create opportunities, and open up new possibilities. Through these small interactions, you can achieve a lot. I am also active on social media, but to me, these social media apps always feel very artificial.
And finally: What plans and dreams do you have for the future?
For a long time, I had the vision of making the best Pinot Noir in the world. I haven’t given up that vision, but I don’t put as much pressure on myself anymore. If it happens, it happens (laughs). I want to be a successful winemaker, regularly trying new things in viticulture, but also in other areas.
First, I am focusing on raising our children together with my wife. That is my most beautiful project. I am enjoying our family time a lot
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CARPASUS Portraits
CARPASUS Portraits showcases inspiring, bold and creative individuals from our community who give their all for their passion. We visit them in their studios, kitchens, ateliers, offices, and workshops, chat with them, and photograph them in their favorite CARPASUS pieces.
Photos: Simon Costabiei