Lavaux

Lavaux is a Swiss wine area located in the canton of Vaud. Winemakers from all over the world have made their homes in this region between Lake Geneva and the Alps. Since 2007, the wine terraces of Lavaux have been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Moreover, it is well-known for its association with Rolex, a prestigious Swiss timepiece. The region’s warm climate, breathtaking panoramas, and fertile soil provide for excellent grapes, which contribute to the region’s widespread renown.

Located east of Lausanne, the Lavaux region is home to vineyards that span about 800 hectares of lakefront land between Montreux and the city of Vevey. In the east, Lavaux touches the municipality of Villeneuve and the broader Chablais region, the beginning of the Rhône valley.

Vine production is documented here as far back as the Roman era, although the actual terraces were not established until the 11th century, under the rule of Benedictine and Cistercian monks. During the time that the canton of Vaud was ruled by the Bernese, the importance of Lavaux’s winemaking sector was recognized and the Bernese government actively promoted Lavaux wines abroad.