Lavaux, Wine terraces in Vaud, Switzerland.
Lavaux is a region of terraced vineyards that stretch across a large section of the northern shore of Lake Geneva, nestled between two major lakeside towns. The sloping land is divided by countless stone walls that hold rows of grapevines and create a distinctive layered pattern across the hillsides.
Around the 11th century, monks from two religious communities started transforming the steep hillsides into workable land by building the first stone walls and terraces. This foundational work established what would become a long-lasting agricultural system that continues to define the region today.
Wine-making forms the backbone of daily life here, with families passing down vineyard knowledge through generations and village traditions centered on the harvest season. Walking through the towns, you notice wine cellars at street level and locals who speak naturally about their grapes and production methods.
Several hiking paths connect the wine villages and lead through the vineyards, passing small cellars and tasting spots along the way. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat and to find the paths less crowded.
The combination of southward-facing slopes, heat bouncing off the lake surface, and heat-absorbing stone walls creates growing conditions that shape the taste of the wines produced here. These natural factors allow growers to cultivate a variety that would struggle in a less favorable climate.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
