Open Wine Cellars 2025: Record participation and new opportunities for Swiss wine

Taste the new vintage, chat with winemakers and experience first-hand where the wine comes from: open wine cellars offer all this and more. The annual event is one of the most popular in the Swiss wine lover's calendar, attracting around 250,000 visitors!

All six Swiss wine regions will once again be taking part in the open wine cellars in 2025. In May and June, winemakers from the regions of German-speaking Switzerland, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Geneva, Valais and Vaud will be opening their doors and inviting visitors on an exciting journey of discovery.

Did you know that Chasselas is by far the most widely grown grape variety in the canton of Vaud? Have you heard of the rare varieties Räuschling, Bondola or Aligoté? Or have you ever seen what a wine cellar with ancient wooden barrels looks like? For anyone who wants to learn more about Swiss wine, the open wine cellars are the perfect opportunity.

Urs Bolliger, campaign manager for the open wine cellars in German-speaking Switzerland, talks in an interview about record numbers, the personal contact between winemakers and visitors – and why the event will be a highlight again in 2025.

Urs Bolliger, how are the preparations for the 2025 open wine cellars going?

Very well! Almost 230 wineries have already registered in German-speaking Switzerland alone – a new record. This shows how popular the event is in the industry.

What is the reason for this growing interest?

We maintain a broad network of around 600 winemakers, whom we write to every year. We also have a strong media presence, which motivates winemakers who have not participated in the past to get involved.

Visitor numbers are also rising...

That's right, around 54,000 visitors were counted in 2023, and around 60,000 in 2024. If the weather plays along in 2025, we hope to welcome up to 65,000 guests. Interest is growing steadily – despite the often small size of vineyards in German-speaking Switzerland. It is particularly pleasing that many people from urban areas are rediscovering local wines.

How do you manage to appeal to both small and large businesses?

It is precisely this diversity that makes the event so special. Some businesses welcome their guests on a small scale with just a few tables, while others organise full-blown festivals. The number of visitors ranges from 20 to over 1,000. Our aim is to bring new customers to the businesses. This helps us to stimulate the market, even in competition with foreign wines.

How important is this event for the wineries themselves?

It is significant both economically and emotionally. Some winegrowers make up to a third of their annual turnover on this weekend. For many, 1 May has become a ritual. People visit ‘their’ winegrower, stock up and exchange ideas. This creates a bond.

What makes the open wine cellars particularly attractive to the public?

It's the experience of seeing where the wine is made. When you meet the winemaker, see the vineyard and enter the cellar, the wine takes on a history. You learn more about production, sustainability and biodiversity – and you develop an emotional connection to the product that cannot be compared to buying it in a supermarket.

And how do you find the right winery among the wide selection?

My tip: don't try to do everything at once. There are at least ten wine regions in German-speaking Switzerland – why not discover a new one every year? If you decide on a region and select three or four wineries, you can combine the day with a relaxing outing. Quality over quantity – that's what makes the day unforgettable.

• The open wine cellars in German-speaking Switzerland will take place on 1, 3 and 4 May 2025. Further information and a list of all participating wineries can be found here.

• Information on open wine cellars in all other regions can be found here.