AOC Lavaux - Villette, Hillside vineyard in Lutry, Switzerland
The Villette vineyard spreads across steep terraces held in place by stone walls, where Chasselas grapes are cultivated between Lutry and Villette. The planted slopes overlook Lake Geneva and take advantage of the hillside terrain throughout the region.
Systematic terracing of these vineyards started in the 11th century when Cistercian monks pioneered cultivation techniques on the steep lakeside slopes. The terraces were expanded and refined over subsequent centuries.
Winemakers here practice methods rooted in generations of local tradition, shaping how the terraced vineyards look and function today. The way the land is worked reflects knowledge passed down through families over centuries.
Regular trains from Lausanne serve Lutry station, where visitors begin a short walk on marked paths toward the vineyard areas. The paths are steep in most sections and require sturdy shoes and reasonable fitness.
The vineyards benefit from three natural heat sources that work together: direct sunlight, light reflected from Lake Geneva, and warmth stored in the stone walls after sunset. This combination allows grapes to ripen on slopes where temperatures would otherwise be too cool.
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