History & Winemakers

Lavaux Region Production

The production of wines in the region of Lavaux, Switzerland is a highly specialised process that results in unique, high-quality wines. This region is well-known for its steep terraced hillsides, which are ideal for cultivating vines. The grapevines are carefully chosen and hand-harvested in the fall.

Once the grapes are harvested, the process of making wine begins. After sorting and destemming, fermentation takes place for two weeks in either tanks or barrels. During this time, the wine is aerated and stirred to enhance its flavour. After fermentation, the wine is aged for a minimum of six months in either barrels or tanks depending on the desired outcome.

The ageing process is the key to producing high-quality wine in Lavaux. The ageing process helps the tannins develop and the flavours to come together. During this time, the winemakers will monitor the wines closely, tasting them to see how they are progressing and deciding when they are ready to be blended and bottled. When the wines are ready, they will be labelled and marketed to the public.

The wines of Lavaux are unique and complex, exhibiting flavours of ripe fruits, spices, and herbs. This is largely due to the cool temperatures, generous sunshine, and the steep terraced hillsides that help protect the vines from the elements. The traditional process of making wines in Lavaux ensures their rarity and the quality of the end product.

The meticulous process of producing wines in Lavaux is essential for producing the highest quality wines. The steep slopes, cool temperatures, and long ageing times give the wines their unique flavours, making them sought-after by connoisseurs. The wines of Lavaux are not only rare and high in quality, but also highly sought after for their complexity and depth of flavour.

Fête des Vignerons

How can we mention the Lavaux without the famously known "Fête des Vignerons" hosted in Vevey without which, the history and culture of Lavaux would not be complete.

Organised by the “Confrérie des Vignerons”, this unique celebration takes place once every two decades in Vevey, a town located in the heart of the Lavaux vineyards in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.

The Winegrowers' Festival pays tribute to the centuries-old winegrowing traditions of an entire region through a show and the crowning of the winegrower-crafters.

The first Fête des Vignerons in 1797 used wooden stands with a capacity of less than 2000 seats. The 2019 open-air arena had a seating capacity of 20,000 and 30 metres high towers.

Swiss Wine Awards by VINEA

The Grand Prix du Vin Suisse aims to promote the quality of Swiss wines. The aim of the “GPVS” is to highlight the quality of Swiss wines and to support the efforts of the Swiss wine industry to meet the requirements of the national and international wine market.

All Swiss wine producers have the opportunity to participate in this competition.

The wines are divided into different categories and assessed in a professional and neutral tasting.

The Swiss Association of Enologists (SAEO) is the patron of the competition.

Neyroud-Fonjallaz

The Neyroud-Fonjallaz domain’s 7.4 acres sit in the heart of the millennium-old Lavaux region, in Chardonne, offering you a panoramic view over Lake Geneva and the Alps. This exceptional region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our vines are located in several renowned production areas: Chardonne, St. Saphorin, Calamin and Dézaley.

Chasselas, our “king” grape that originally comes from our Lake Geneva region, is at its finest here, expressing beautifully the individuality of each terroir. Other specialities such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Gamaret thrive here as well.

Jean-Marc Favez

In 2000 Jean-Marc Favez, previously a banker decided to become a winemaker.

Son of a winemaker, his father Raymond Favez was crowned during a unique celebration, in the “Confrerie des Vignerons” in 1999, dedicated to him. He started the construction of a cave, located in the heart of Lavaux, the vineyards are split in 3 main areas Vevey, Montreux and St-Saphorin.

Basile Monachon

United by blood and vines in Rivaz, Lavaux, the Monachon family has been faithfully and passionately dedicated to the vineyard and wine work for about three centuries.

On the estate's hillsides, farming is performed with an uncompromising respect for terroir, each grape variety being sourced out of the most favourable soil and microclimate.

The specific flavours linked to each plot and to each varietal are highlighted by rigorous vinifications. Shaped through a long maturing on fine lees, the wines are allowed to reach their full potential of expression, including a great diversity of styles and flavours.

A dedication to environmental sustainability provides the wines with an extra guarantee of authenticity and truthfulness to our soils.

Christophe Francey

Exploited by the family Barbey since 1384. The domain is now belonging to Christophe Francey, he learned all the knowledge and skills from is grandfather.

He developed his own idea and he contributes to the evolution of the 3 acres of vineyards. Located in the heart of lavaux, St-Saphorin, National World Heritage site Unesco.

François De Coulon

The Domaine du Château d'Eclépens is one of the oldest wine estates in Switzerland. It has been in the hands of the De Coulon family since 1807. François has been managing the estate since 2007 and represents the seventh generation of the family. In the Middle Ages, nobles built castles to control the surrounding area. They would also use them as centres of their administration and seat of their political and economic power.

Today it is different. The de Coulon family and their employees work to transmit their values of respect for nature, a taste for great wines and the joy of sharing. The family's aim is to bring this historic place to life to the full, to inspire people of all ages, to make this heritage evolve and pass it on to future generations.

Henri & Vincent Chollet

Nestled in the heart of the Lavaux hillsides, this domain is full of good surprises. The "Domaine Mermetus" is renowned for the quality and diversity of its wines, which are made from around twenty grape varieties spread over 7 hectares divided into 70 parcels.

There is a huge choice of more than 30 wines, with accessible and very good whites and reds of all ranges, with specificities that can only be found in this region.

The production is constantly evolving, as evidenced by the domain's recent conversion to organic farming, with the ambition to sincerely transmit the identity of the place.

Jean-Marc & Fabien Sordet

The "Domaine des Sieurs" has about 15 hectares of various grape varieties, a 700 square metre cellar, about 30 stainless steel vats for the storage of some 140,000 litres of wine, and a barrel cellar. Inside the cellar, a banqueting room can accommodate up to 100 people.

In 2005, Jean-Marc Sordet had the opportunity to take over a seven-hectare estate and a cellar in Luins. This acquisition allowed him to acquire a sufficient size to leave the cooperative and produce his own wine. From the start, the winegrower joined forces with his son, Fabien. A decade later, the Domaine des Sieurs, named after the largest parcel of land on the estate, has some 15 hectares in facilities built in 2010 next to the family home. The father-son duo works in a very complementary way.

The comprehensive range includes a sparkling wine, a sweet wine, several oak-aged reds as well as the classic Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Gamay.