Swiss Wines and When to Taste Them

When you think about wine, usually you instantly think about the Italian, French or Spanish ones. Switzerland wouldn't even cross your mind, would it? The reason behind it is that only 1% out of 99 milion litres yearly produced wine is exported! Before I moved here, I'd never tasted Swiss wine and it was (and still is) a wonderful journey to discover that beautiful drink while travelling to different regions in the country.

And today I'm going to help you out with learning more about Swiss wine and where to try it.

Interesting Facts about Swiss Wine

Wine regions in Switzerland. Source: myswitzerland.com

There are 6 major Wine Regions in Switzerland: German Switzerland, Valais, Vaud, Three Lakes, Ticino and Geneva. Valais and Vaud produce the most wine, apprx. 59% of total country wine production. It is believed that the wine-making traditions started mostly during the Roman Empire, although some of the historians think that wine in Ticino and Sounth Valais was being produced even in Iron Ages!

Strong wine-making traditions are visible in all 26 cantons, where you have not only big wineries, but also small, family-owned ones - in total there are around 1500 winemakers in the whole country. What surprised me the most, mostly red wine is produced in Switzerland - 56 % of total production, with Pinot Noir, Gamay and Merlot being top 3 red varieties. Top 3 white varieties are: Chasselas, Mueller-Thurgau and Chardonnay.

As in most countries, also in Switzerland there are some indigineus grape varieties, such as Chasselas (originated in Gevena in 17th century), Petit Arvine (originated in Valais around 1602), Humagne Rouge and Cornalin. The last two orginated in Aosta valley - Humagne Rouge was introduced in Valais in 1800s and due to close proximity to the valley, wine experts now consider it an indigenous Swiss grape variety. Cornaline, however, since isnow only grown in Switzerland, we consider them as indigineous Swiss variety.

Wine Tasting Events in May

Since you already know a bit more about Swiss winemaking, now it's time to explore various events during which you'll have a chance to try delicious Swiss wines.

German Switzerland 1st - 3rd of May (free)

During this event, winemakers from German speaking Switzerland open the doors to their cellars. You can try their products free-of-charge and also learn more aboyt history of their wineries and see how wine productions looks like.

Check this website for more details. Here you can find the list of all cellars paritciparing in the event.

Neuchatel Open Wine Cellars 8th-9th of May (30 CF)

Meet 42 winemakers and discover Three-Lakes Region. Just for 30 CHF you get to visit the wine cellars for two whole days. On Saturday, there's also a shuttle bus to make it easier to move from one place to another.

Purchase the ticket online here and get public transport ticket for the Neuchatel area, wine glass with wine pocket, 5 CHF discount to one of the partner restaurant and 15 CHF voucher valid for wine purchases from Three-Lakes wine merchants.

More info here.

Valais Open Cellars 14th - 16th of May (free)

Spend 20th event anniversary by visiting more than 240 wine cellars in the biggest winemaking region in Switzerland. You'll have an unique chance to try new vintages, learn about history of wine making in Vallais and tour between vines.

To plan your trip, visit this webpage.

Ticino Open Wine Cellars 16th - 17th of May/23rd - 24th of May (free)

Ticino opens its wine cellars doors for 2 weekends in May. On weekend of 16th-17th of May, you can visit wineries around Mendrisio and Ligano (full list here), and on weekend of 23rd-24th of May you can go to Bellinzona and Locarno area (full list here).

To make your visits easier, purchase public transport day tickets valid in the Ticino region from this website or get your tickets for a Shuttle bus running between all praticipating wine cellars. Both shuttles run 4 times per day and you need to book them in advance. Book them here - 10CHF ticket: Mendrisio/Lugano Shuttle, 15 CHF ticket: Bellinzona/Lugano Shuttle.

Vaud Open Wine Cellars 23rd - 24th of May (40 CHF)

6 wine regions in Vaud with over 250 wineries open their doors for everyone to try their delicious wines. For 40 CHF you get wristband which grants you an entrance to the festival, wine glass, use of public transport and shuttle buses (only available for online ticket) and 20 CHF voucher to use for wine purchase. Your ticket is valid for two days as long as you keep your wristband and a glass.

Get your tickets online here.

Additionally, you can purchage a snack bag with breadsticks, fruit purees and pae vaduoises. Purchase it here.

Geneva Open Wine Cellar Day 30th of May (20 CHF)

Third biggest wine region in Switzerland holds its 39th edition of Open Wine Cellar Day.

You can visit more than 70 wineries and try wonderful vintages from 2025 and 2024.

For 20 CHF you get a badge designed by renowned cartoonist Patrick Chappatte and also wine glass with engraved Geneva's coat of arms. It also grants you access to shuttle buses running between wineries.

For more info and ticket purchase, visit this website.

As you can see, Switzerland has more to offer than its beautiful nature and cheeses. Their wines are like the mountain air - fresh, light and full of wonderful notes. I hope you'll have a chance to visit one of the events above and fully experience Swiss Wine making traditions.