The wine region of Geneva

Genève ©Genève Terroir

A vineyard full of charm

Geneva, city and country intermingle in a surprising way. Barely ten kilometers from the headquarters of the UN and the WTO, bucolic parcels of Garanoir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Merlot give birth to increasingly renowned vintages. The proximity of the Jura and Pre-Alps mountains, as well as the influence of Lake Geneva and the Rhone, give rise to a mosaic of microclimates. Combined with a great heterogeneity of the soils, this variety has encouraged the winegrowers to diversify the traditional grape varieties based on Gamay and Chasselas. In this vineyard, which has always been a pioneer, the winegrowers are multiplying the trials of new grape varieties in order to offer a wide variety of original and characterful wines to a cosmopolitan clientele.

Although Chasselas remains the dominant white grape variety, Geneva winemakers have had great success at international wine events with wines from classic grape varieties such as Chardonnay. Among the red wines, Gamay holds the first place with excellent wines, very well structured. However, Pinot Noir and other red varieties are gaining ground.

The wine region Geneva: Key Figures

These graphs present some key figures for the wines of Geneva

9%

Surface CH

47

Grape varieties

130

Producers

56%

Red surface

(763 HA)

44%

White surface

(592 HA)

Grape Variety Distribution in The wine region Geneva

A

B

C

D

E

F

21%

Gamay, 279 HA

19%

Chasselas, 258 HA

12%

Pinot Noir, 161 HA

9%

Gamaret, 118 HA

8%

Chardonnay, 113 HA

31%

Others, 426 HA

The map of AOC in the region

The Geneva region has 1 AOC and 22 AOC Premier Cru.

AOC Coteau de Choulex
AOC Geneva
AOC Premier Cru Château de Choully
AOC Premier Cru Châteaz du Crest
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Bossy
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Bourdigny
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Chevrens
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Choully
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Collex
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Genthod
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Lully
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de Peissy
AOC Premier Cru Coteau de la Vigne blanche
AOC Premier Cru Coteau des Baillets
AOC Premier Cru Coteaux de Dardagny
AOC Premier Cru Coteaux de Peney
AOC Premier Cru Côtes de Landecy
AOC Premier Cru Côtes de Russin
AOC Premier Cru Domaine de l'Abbaye
AOC Premier Cru Grand Carraz
AOC Premier Cru La Feuillée
AOC Premier Cru Mandement de Jussy
AOC Premier Cru Rougemont
La Rive Droite © Genève Terroir

La Rive Droite

This wine region in the canton of Geneva extends north of the Rhône to the French border and covers 790 hectares of vineyards. It includes the municipality of Satigny, the largest wine-growing municipality in Switzerland. Further east are the vineyards of Céligny and Collex-Bossy.

The wide range of soils, from gravelly to limestone, provides ideal conditions for a wide range of grape varieties. In addition to the typical Chasselas, remarkable red wines are also produced here from Gamay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Thanks to the temperate climate and good sunshine, the wines produced here are elegant, fruity and well-balanced.

Genève © Nicolas Righetti

Between Arve and Rhône

Located between the Arve and Rhône rivers, this Geneva wine region covers around 300 hectares with the vineyards of Bernex, Lully, Confignon, Soral and Laconnex. The well-aerated soils and mild climate favour the cultivation of both white and red grape varieties. While Chasselas dominates as the main variety, Pinot Noir, Gamay and specialities such as Gamaret also play an important role. The wines from this region are often aromatic, well-structured and reflect the terroir with a beautiful freshness and minerality.

Entre Arve et Lac © Sarah Meylan

The region between the Arve and Lake Geneva

The region between the Arve and Lake Geneva, which extends from Cologny to Hermance, covers around 280 hectares. Among other places, it includes the vineyards of Meinier, Choulex and Jussy.

The wines, particularly the Chasselas, are characterised by their freshness, minerality and delicate fruitiness. In addition to white wines, red wines are also grown here from Gamay and Pinot Noir, which are characterised by their elegance and smooth tannins. The interplay of soil conditions and microclimate gives the wines a special finesse.

Switzerland. Naturally.