Tags

, , , ,

Beyond just driving through and seeing it via highway, my first introduction to Lavaux was through AIWC.  We did a really great hike in Fall 2011 through the vineyards.

Lavaux is a UNESCO world heritage site due to the special terraces for which the vineyards are planted.  They say it is the sun’s reflection off of Lake Geneva onto the terraces to heat up the stone walls and soil that makes the wine so great.

During our hike, our leader had planned that we would take the train from Geneva to Lausanne, connect on the regional train, and get off at St. Saphorin.  We hiked four hours through the terraces and descended near Lutry to catch a return train.   If you do it this way, make sure to buy a one-way ticket.

The AIWC hiking through Lavaux in October 2012

If hiking isn’t your thing and you still want to experience Lavaux, there are a few options:

–Via car you can drive through the rolling hills – Chexbres is a great exit to pull off of to drive through the vineyards.  The Le Deck restaurant is located in this town and I have heard its a great place for a drink.  Also, if you head straight down, you can see quaint little small storefronts, and this road also leads to Vinorama.  Take note to avoid driving on the wine roads; only the main roads.

–Via train you can get off and explore and walk near the train stop.  Take the regional S train from Lausanne, direction Villeneuve, and it stops in every wine town.  I have stopped at Rivaz stop and walked 10 minutes to Vinorama and back to that same stop (to do so, coming from Lausanne, exit the train station to the left and keep going up the lake road, about 0.5 km).   If you feel up for it, you could walk between train stops like the hiking group does.

–Via touristic train from Lutry or Cully (both towns accessible via the S regional train).  The departure location depends on the day, so take note of the day you are going.  Also, please know that they leave from the port, so it is a 10 minute walk from the train station — plan accordingly.  They complement their schedule with a wine tasting train on the weekend evenings.

The Lavaux Express

View from the Lavaux Express touristic train from June 2012

I mentioned Vinorama above.  I love this little place.  It sells over 100 Lavaux varietals. They also have tasting packages and a really well-done video detailing a year in Lavaux from the perspective of the winemaker.

Vinorama as pictured when I visited in February 2012. I loved the frozen waterfall.

We returned in the Spring to take my husband’s cousin. The waterfall had melted, providing an alternative perspective!

Lavaux Vinorama
Route du Lac 2  1071 Rivaz
021 946 31 31

I hope you find Lavaux as special as I do!

We are a group of international women living in Geneva, Switzerland.  If you would like to join the AIWC, please visit our website at http://www.aiwcgeneva.org/.

Related Links:

Swiss Wife Style:  All Aboard The Lavaux Express

Schwingen In Switzerland:  Stopping at Lavaux

Schwingen In Switzerland:  St. Saphorin

Schwingen In Switzerland:  Lavaux