The vineyard

Of the five Vaud viticultural regions, that of Lavaux (registered at the UNESCO World Heritage) is the most spectacular. Its terraced vineyards benefit from "three suns" - the real one, the one reflected by the lake and that stored by the stone walls. Here are to be found Switzerland's finest wines.

The vineyard, whose altitude varies from 400 to 600 metres, profits from the effect of the thermal regulation provided by the lake. Established on parent material containing active chalky limestone, the vineyards have an extremely favourable soil structure, with strong permeability and good aeration. The soil is easily penetrated by roots and resists erosion relatively well.

The work involved in terracing, wall construction and consolidation is nonetheless extensive, and partially explains the high operating costs of the Lavaux vineyards. The sharp gradient provides natural drainage and avoids water stagnation, thereby diminishing grape dilution. The influence of its soils plays a major role in the quality and the personality of the Lavaux wines, notably those from the Chasselas grape, a variety that is especially sensitive to geological, topographical and morphological influences.

The vines of the estate