LAVAUX WINE TERRACES
Tour Historic Vineyards and Views above Lake Geneva
The Lavaux
is that distinctive stretch of steeply sloping land of the lower mountains
along the shore of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux
of terraced wine vineyards, the largest in Switzerland, so unique it
has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Easily seen while traveling
by steamer on the lake or from the main rail line along the shore, every
bit of available space is taken by Chasselas grape vines, even on the
narrow slivers of land between the train tracks and the highway, whisking
past the windows on a rail journey or drive between the cities. The stone
terraced vineyards of the Lavaux where first planted by monks in the
11th Century when monasteries of the Cistercians and Benedictines held
sway in the area. The vineyards are now owned by the small family vintners
who live and work in the hills, most for whom the vineyards have been
in the family for 600 years, passed from generation to generation.
There are
a number of ways to explore the vineyards of the Lavaux, by car, by
rail, hiking, cycling, or tourist train. By car, the main auto
route traverses mostly above the vineyards, with a coast road along the
shore from Vevey to Lutry, with another between the villages about halfway
up the slope. The villages of the Lavaux tend to be tight clusters to
surrounded by vines. Each village has a communal wine tasting cave in
the heart of the village (Caveau Coeure du Village), while the individual
family wineries have their own shops, some with restaurants or rooms
for accommodation.
Wine tasting
hours in the Lavaux are usually in the afternoons during the week after
the days work in the vineyards has been done, and on weekends during
the season.
The Lavaux Wine Train
The
Wine Train (Train des Vignes) is a public train which runs from the
Vevey main station to the villages of Chexbres and Puidoux. The entire
trip takes about ten minutes one way. From Chexbres, a 3 mile walking
path can take you back down to Vevey through the vineyards. The Lavaux
Wine train is included with any rail pass (see Switzerland by
Swiss Pass).
Bicycles can be taken on the
train and possible to rent in Vevey at the station with a Velopass, for
an easy cycling ride through the vineyards.
Chexbres Village Wine
Chexbres,
nicknamed The Balcony of Lake Geneva, (and pronounced shay-bray) has
a several wineries in the village,
like the Domaine
Bovy, run by brothers Vincent and Eric.
Visit the family wine cave of ancient oak wine casks illustrated by great-grandfather
Bovy, while Eric draws a sample. The winery has a panoramic terrace
restaurant open on weekends and special regional wine days. There are
a number of other small restaurants and family run wine caves in town
as well.
For
a spectacular lunch all during week, walk five minutes to the west
from the Chexbres station
along the curbving road to “The
Deck” restaurant of the Le Baron Tavernier Hotel. The modern
restaurant and deck bar have the claim to the best view of Lake Geneva
(see Hotel Baron Tavernier). For the
restaurant, a reservation is advisable as it can often be full
with local business lunchers. Or just enjoy the view from the comfortable
couches of the outdoor bar lounge deck with views from Geneva to Mont
Blanc.
Vineyard Tourist Trains
Three
Tourist Train routes run through the Lavaux Vineyards between April
and the
end of October. The tourist trains (trains touristiques)
include a guided narrated journey through the vineyards with stops for
wine tasting and a souvenir glass to take home. Depending on the route,
the tourist trams pulled by a tractor in the shape of train engine take
from an hour to two hours, in the afternoons during the week with a morning
run on Saturdays. The Lavaux
Express begins in Lutry and runs through Aran and Grandvaux,
or starting Cully, through the Dezaley property, the biggest
and best known vintner of the region.
The Lavaux Panoramic starts
from the Chexbres station with routes through Chardonne or Rivaz and
St Saphorin. Some trains have longer evening routes. Costs
for the tourist trains are from 12 to 15 CHF for adults for the day trains
and 20 to 30 CHF for the longer evening trips. Children 6-16 are 5 CHF.
The Lake Geneva boats from Lausanne or
Montreux stop in Vevey, Cully and Lutry. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and
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SEE
ALSO:
ALIMENTARIUM FOOD MUSEUM - VEVEY
VALAIS
WINE TRAIL - CHATEAU DE VILLA - SIERRE
