wine migration in switzerland — View over Lac Leman to the Savoy Alps | © Switzerland Tourism, swiss-image.ch / Marcus Gyger

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All cheese in Switzerland? Not at all! The Swiss can also make wine - which in turn is often served with cheese. Discover Switzerland in a different way.

Probably the best-known wine-growing region is Lavaux on Lake Geneva, whose terraced, sun-drenched slopes have been awarded a UNESCO designation. But wine is also grown in other Swiss regions, which tourists also enjoy. Whether it's classic tastings, bike tours or wine hiking trails - Switzerland is home to numerous exciting and educational offers on the subject of wine.

Bike, Wine & Being in Mendrisiotto, Ticino
On two wheels through the largest wine-growing region in Ticino: the guided "Bike'n'Wine" tour through the Mendrisiotto is something for true connoisseurs. Equipped with helmet and bike, the tour starts at the headquarters of Mendrisiotto Terroir in Balerna. During the first stop at a traditional winery, the knowledge about wine production is deepened. The tour continues through the "Tuscany of Switzerland", as the area is often called. In the shade of a beautiful pergola and with a magnificent view over the region, guests will get to know the scent and taste of the local Merlot at the second stop. After the last stop, the grand finale awaits at the end: a tasting of regional wines, accompanied by a rich aperitif of regional specialties. The five-kilometer tour through the wine-growing region takes three and a half hours.

Chillon Castle - Vaud style aperitif, Lake Geneva area
Only a few kilometers from the center of Montreux, in the immediate vicinity of the wine-growing region and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux, stands Chillon Castle. Perched on a cliff on the shores of Lake Geneva, this moated castle is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. Anyone planning a guided tour of Chillon Castle should definitely not miss the aperitif in the wine cellar afterwards. An aperitif in the Vaudois style is served in the room set up especially for this purpose - the Castellan's Hall. Especially recommended is the Grand Cru from the Chasselas grape, aged in one of the 40 oak barrels in the cellar of the castle. It harmonizes excellently with fish or cheese.

Wine Hike Switzerland Lake Geneva Region — On a rock on the shore of Lake Geneva lies the Chillon Castle.

Orbe Wine Hike, Lake Geneva Region
The Côtes de l'Orbe wine region is located 30 kilometers north of Lake Geneva, in the Jura Mountains of Vaud. A variety of excellent wines are grown there. On a hike through the wine terraces, guests can deepen their knowledge of viticulture with the free smartphone app "Vaud Guide." On the tour from the wine village of Arnex-sur-Orbe to the Creux de Villars and Lavaux-Vully wine-growing regions, around 30 exciting multiple-choice questions and GPS tasks await.

Visperterminen - Highest vineyard in Europe, Valais
Take the post bus from Visp up to the Toppi stop, where the educational trail over Europe's highest vineyard begins. On the hike along historic dry-stone walls, those interested learn many interesting facts about the local wine culture. In the St. Jodern winery, local wines can be tasted - for example Heida, a Valais Grand Cru. Culinary specialties from the Valais, such as rye bread, are also served. After a short walk, the tour continues by post bus to Visperterminen. In the heart of the heath village is the cozy restaurant Gebidem, which invites you for a lunch break. In the afternoon, a circular hike along the historic Beitra water pipeline and with views of the Bietsch and Matterhorn mountains is first on the agenda before returning to Visp by post bus. The varied tour through the highest vineyard in Europe takes around eight hours and can be booked from April to October.

Wine tour through the Bündner Herrschaft and Heidiland, Grisons
Possibly somewhat less well known are the wine regions around Heidiland and Bündner Herrschaft in southeastern Switzerland. With a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle including a private chauffeur, these insider tips can be explored particularly well. On the exclusive tour of several wineries, participants gain insights into the secrets of winemaking and are trained in sensory techniques. Directly in the wineries follows an introduction to the vines and the traditional winemaking craft. The tastings of several wines that follow also include an appetizer of cheeses and dried meats from the surrounding Alps. The popular half-day tours start either in Bad Ragaz or Chur and are offered all year round.