This denomination brings together the sixteen wine-growing cantons of German-speaking Switzerland. The third Swiss wine-growing region can be divided into three main entities. The western part includes the vineyards of the cantons of Basel (105 ha) and Aargau (400 ha), the central part includes Zurich (607 ha), Schaffhausen (490 ha) and Thurgau (270 ha), the eastern part includes Graubünden (410 ha) and St. Gallen (220 ha). Among the common characteristics of the German-speaking cantons, we can mention that a quarter of the grape variety is Pinot Noir (locally called Blauburgunder), which produces astonishing highly nuanced red wines. The white grape varieties, in which Müller-Thurgau predominates (which in Switzerland is still called Riesling-Sylvaner), cover 25% of the wine-growing area. The specialities of German-speaking Switzerland include Räuschling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris.
This region has a renewed interest in traditional grape varieties that have fallen into oblivion and a remarkable capacity for innovation.
Switzerland is a country with a wealth of ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation; discover our talented winemakers.
Swiss vineyards displays a unique variety in the world: an alpine landscape, a different climate depending on the region, and unique grape varieties.
Swiss vineyards cover 14,696 hectares, with more than 2,500 winemakers in six regions: Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three Lakes.
Switzerland's particular landscape and its vineyards inspire viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's skills remain the essential tool to bring grapes to maturity.
German-speaking Switzerland
Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau
Distribution of grape varieties
These graphs present some key figures for the wines of German-speaking Switzerland
Red surface
(1694 HA)
White surface
(900 HA)
52%
Pinot Noir, 1358 HA
15%
Müller-Thurgau, 396 HA
3%
Sauvignon blanc, 87 HA
3%
Chardonnay, 86 HA
0%
Gamay, 1 HA
26%
Others, 666 HA
52%
Pinot Noir, 1358 HA
15%
Müller-Thurgau, 396 HA
3%
Sauvignon blanc, 87 HA
3%
Chardonnay, 86 HA
0%
Gamay, 1 HA
26%
Others, 666 HA
Sub-regions
German-speaking Switzerland is spread over 16 cantons and is made up of 20 AOC. AOC Appenzell AOC Argovie AOC Bâle-Ville AOC Bâle-Campagne AOC Berne AOC Glaris AOC Grisons AOC Lucerne AOC Obwald AOC Nidwald AOC Schaffhouse AOC Schwyz AOC Soleure AOC St-Gall AOC Thunersee AOC Thurgovie AOC Uri AOC Zoug AOC Zürichsee
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