The Origins of viticulture in Switzerland

Ancient roots, sacred slopes

Our journey began 2,200 years ago, predating Roman Empire's vine expansion: in Valais, we found a 2nd-century BC Celtic lady's tomb with the nation's oldest ceramic wine bottle. Wine is in our DNA.

Hand-sculpted majesty

In the 12th century, Cistercian monks truly shaped our destiny. With sheer devotion, they hand-carved the steep cliffs of the Lavaux region, transforming vertical terrain into a sun-retaining vineyard masterpiece, which became as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Six wine regions

Annual production: 100 million liters

Graph shows % share of production by region

High quality, high ratings

  • A perfect score: Only 36 wines in the world scored a perfect 100 from critic Robert Parker in 2023 - and one is from Switzerland

  • Elite standing: The report rates 216 Swiss wines in the 'Outstanding' category, with scores of 90 points or higher.

  • The top tier: Out of those, 27 are in the 'Exceptional' category, with 95 points or above.

  • Consistent quality: These top-rated wines come from 67 different winemakers across all 6 wine regions of Switzerland.