To sample exquisite Swiss wines, we suggest booking one of the best wine tours in Switzerland with the aptly named: Wine Tours Switzerland. They lead you into the vines on private experiences in the Bundner Herrschaft, Heidiland and St. Galler Rheintal regions. Traveling by minivan, foot, e-bike or coach – your companions will be introduced to the fascinating local viticulture process, while enjoying regional specialties and epic landscapes.
Grape varieties in this beautiful Alpine country center around Chasselas and Pinot Noir – a white and red which can be found throughout the wine regions. In total there are 250 different grape varieties to choose from in Switzerland, making it one of the most diverse and exclusive producers on the planet. Add in the fact that only about 1% of bottles get exported annually and you have yourself a wine destination that is genuinely unique.
A handful of labels make it into international bottle stores but the top vintages are saved for domestic consumption: the Swiss wouldn’t have it any other way. Locals guard their favorite wines, as they want to keep them secret, however things are beginning to change. Wine tourism is now a big part of the offering here and those connected to the industry – like Wine Tours Switzerland – are lifting the lid on what makes Swiss wine so superb.
Best Wine Tours in Switzerland
1. Small Wine Tour – Half Day
Set in the spectacular Bundner Herrschaft, Rhine Valley or Principality of Liechtenstein – this Small Wine Tour takes you to a local vineyard where you can learn all about winemaking traditions, while getting informed on the culture and history of the region. A guided tasting allows you to sample between five and seven different wines, and the delicious aperitifs such as various cheeses and dried meats accompany the alcohol to perfection.
2. Grand Wine Tour – Full Day
Slightly different to the one above, the Grand Wine Tour brings you to two lovely vineyards instead of one and includes a winegrower’s lunch. Lasting over six hours, and situated an hour from Zurich, this day trip provides the opportunity for oenophiles to wrap their lips around some outstanding vintages. The primary highlight is having lunch at a regional restaurant which boasts cuisine just as exciting as the wine accompaniments.
3. Grisons Wine Hike Tour
Grisons, which is French for Graubunden, is a mountainous canton where Switzerland’s fourth language has official status – Romansh. On the Grisons Wine Hike Tour you will be in the Bunder Herrschaft part with its sun-drenched vineyards and amazing local wines. Enjoy a leisurely hike around the vines and enter a winery that offers delectable drops. Up to 50 guests can be catered for, so bring the whole crew along for a fun three hours.
4. E-Bike Tour
For those who don’t fancy walking, the E-Bike Tour is the best alternative. Feel the sun on your face, wind in your hair and admire the views all around as you stop by several points of interest – including a vineyard and winery. E-bike’s are more comfortable and easier/faster than traditional bicycles, so you can cover lots of ground by opting for this mode of transportation. Be led on a sensory experience and taste wines that will excite your palate.
5. Wine & Cooking Tour
The Wine & Cooking Tour is one of the best wine tours in Switzerland due to the fact that it combines home-style recipes with regional and sustainable ingredients. Taking place in the Bunder Herrschaft and Heidiland, this six and a half hour foodie adventure gives you the chance to cook your own lunch or dinner, under the guidance of professionals. Like all outings with Wine Tours Switzerland, wines are paired with the meal.
6. Wine & Gold Tour
Following a wine tasting and lunch, a gilding course awaits those who book this tour. Gild a piece of used barrique barrel wood with tartar crystals and gold leaf, and then take your new jewelry creation back home. The gilding course is run by the designer Walter Wolf Windisch. Finishing the day with a quality piece of art will add so much value to your trip and this is why we say the Wine & Gold Tour is one of the best wine tours in Switzerland.
7. Wine & Water Tour
From the end of April to the end of October, Wine Tours Switzerland offers the Wine & Water Tour which sees guests visit the Tamina Gorge alongside their wine-based activities. It starts by riding the post bus to the Old Bad Pfafers (Baroque baths), before entering the gorge to marvel at its rock formations and natural light. Later in the afternoon, a winegrower’s lunch is served and then it’s time to check out a couple of world-class vineyards.
8. Wine & Heidi Tour
Johanna Spyri was a celebrated novelist in the 19th century who wrote books about a girl from the Swiss mountains called Heidi. The Bundner Herrschaft and Heidiland gave Johanna the inspiration to create these magical stories – and on the Wine & Heidi Tour you will be able to visit Heidi’s house, savor a meal accompanied by wine, and explore enchanting wineries and vineyards. Many of the locations in the novels can be visited.
9. Wine & IGNIV Tour
What sets the Wine & IGNIV Tour apart is sharing a three course meal at the world renowned IGNIV by Andreas Caminada restaurant. Andreas is a 3 Michelin star chef and his restaurants create imaginative dishes that intertwine regional ingredients with cosmopolitan flair. While this is certainly the highlight, the other inclusion of learning wine secrets in a vineyard makes the entire afternoon/evening that much more special.
10. Wine & Chocolate Tour
Nothing compares with Swiss chocolate and on the Wine & Chocolate Tour you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to trying this national staple. The confectionery producer Laderach shows how the humble cocoa bean transforms into its final product. After tasting different cocoa varieties, guests are welcomed to a three course meal on the way to Bundner Herrschaft. To finish, wine is tasted in vineyards to wash down the treats.
11. Wine & Gourmet Hike
As the name suggests, the Wine & Gourmet Hike is all about three distinctly Swiss pleasures: wine, gourmet foods and hiking. The Bundner Herrschaft region affords walkers with great trails to wander along, and a series of fantastic views looking out at villages and the Grisons Alps. Your gourmet menu for the day is dependent on the season but usually involves dishes like gazpacho, Bunder beef and veal, and treats from Graubunden.
12. Swissness Tour
The Swissness Tour is a nice option for cheese-lovers as you get to graze on three raclettes. Not only that but potatoes from a local farm will also be on the agenda. Cheese and potatoes are Swiss foods through and through. To cap off this epic lunch or dinner, chocolate and coffee is served. In between these tastings, of course, wine will be poured and talked about – all of this after you have been in the vines learning about centuries-old viticulture.
13. Alps & E-Bike
The Alps of Heidiland are waiting for you on the Alps & E-Bike tour with Wine Tours Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the mountains by cycling past ancient villages, up and down gorgeous valleys, and alongside pristine streams. The views on this journey are only matched by the food and wine. Alpine cuisine is heavily influenced by the cows and pigs that are dotted across the farmland, and this translates to flavorful cheese and dried meats.
14. Tour & Dine
At the catering location of Glashuus Malans or perhaps at a vineyard, guests are treated to a phenomenal meal of local and international dishes. Up to 100 guests can be accommodated on Tour & Dine, so naturally it suits large events or once in a lifetime occasions where many people come together. In addition to the lunch or dinner, the vineyards of the Bundner Herrschaft region will be visited and many superlative wines tasted.
15. Tours for Large Groups
Transported by coach, the Tours for Large Groups can be booked for up to 200 – so again, it’s ideal for special occasions that deserve to be celebrated in style. You might be interested in a work function or an activity for a wedding. Whatever the need, Wine Tours Switzerland can deliver. Features of the large group tours include driving through the region, enjoying a short but sweet vineyard hike, and cheese, dried meats and wine tastings.
*For an in-depth look at Swiss wine, be sure to read our guide that lays out all you need to know before taking a wine-inspired trip to Switzerland. It covers everything from the six main wine regions you should visit (Valais, Vaud, German-speaking areas, Geneva, Ticino and Three Lakes), to the best Swiss wine labels and vineyards dotted across the country. Click the link here: https://www.magnificentworld.com/ultimate-guide-to-swiss-wine/.
