Every spring, when vineyards turn bright green and the air fills with the promise of warmer days, Switzerland opens the doors to one of its most beloved wine tourism experiences: Open Wine Cellars. Held every year in May, this nationwide event invites wine lovers and curious travellers to step behind the scenes and discover Swiss wine where it is born.
Open Doors Across All Wine Regions
Across consecutive weekends, hundreds of wineries welcome visitors in all of Switzerland’s wine regions – from the terraced slopes of Valais to the lakeside vineyards of Vaud, from sun-kissed Ticino to Geneva, the Three Lakes region and the diverse vineyards of German-speaking Switzerland. Each region brings its own personality, grape varieties and traditions, creating a mosaic of flavours and landscapes that is uniquely Swiss.
Meet the People Behind the Bottles
Open Wine Cellars is much more than a tasting event. It is an invitation to meet the people behind the bottles, to walk through cellars and vineyards, to hear stories of family estates and modern pioneers, and to experience the close link between wine, land and culture. Visitors can taste a wide range of wines, from fresh whites and elegant reds to local specialities that are sometimes difficult to found beyond the region.
Tasting Switzerland, Glass by Glass
Another highlight of Open Wine Cellars is the opportunity to discover Switzerland’s remarkable grape diversity. Visitors can taste emblematic varieties such as Chasselas, the great expression of terroir around Lake Geneva, Pinot Noir, elegant and nuanced from Valais to German-speaking Switzerland, and Merlot, which has become the unmistakable signature of Ticino. Alongside these classics, many wineries proudly showcase distinctive local grapes such as Petite Arvine, Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Gamaret or Bondola, offering flavours that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
A Celebration of Swiss Grape Diversity
Open Wine Cellars is therefore the perfect moment to appreciate the richness and variety of Swiss wine as a whole – a small country with an astonishing range of styles, climates and traditions. We are proud of Swiss wine and of what it represents: craftsmanship, authenticity and a deep respect for the land. Nowhere else can wine be discovered in such a personal and human way, directly from the producers themselves, glass in hand, surrounded by vineyards and stories. It is this closeness, this genuine connection between people and place, that makes the Swiss wine experience truly unique.
Local Flavours and Culinary Encounters
Food is an essential part of the experience. Many wineries pair their wines with regional culinary delights, turning each stop into a moment of convivial discovery. To make the journey easy and enjoyable, special transport options are often organised, allowing guests to move comfortably between wineries while fully enjoying the day.
Landscapes That Take Your Breath Away
Above all, Open Wine Cellars is a celebration of landscapes. Rolling hills, dramatic alpine backdrops, shimmering lakes and charming villages form the setting for unforgettable encounters and slow travel moments. It is the perfect occasion to combine wine, gastronomy and nature, and to explore Switzerland through its vineyards.
Oper Wine Cellars offers an authentic, welcoming and inspiring experience – a reminder that some of the most memorable journeys begin with an open door and a shared glass.
✨ See you next May in the Swiss vineyards. 🍷🇨🇭
More information: www.swisswine.com
Credits: (c) OVV, Neuchatel Vin et Terroir