One region, three identities: the vineyards of Three Lakes flourish on gently sloping hillsides spread over three distinct areas. The largest (606 hectares) borders the western shore of Lake Neuchatel and forms the vineyards of the canton of same name. It is mainly home to Chasselas and Pinot Noir, destined for original specialities. The second (222 hectares), located in the canton of Bern, adjoins Lake Biel. The third (116 hectares) borders Lake Morat and gives birth to Vully, one of the only AOCs straddling two different cantons (Vaud and Fribourg), which is distinguished by its Freiburger and Traminer, the regional names of wines made from Freisamer and Gewürztraminer.
The most widely grown red grape variety in Neuchatel is Pinot Noir, which produces excellent red wines as well as the famous Œil-de-Perdrix, a fine and fruity rosé wine that originated in Neuchatel. The best known white wines here are lively Chasselas. But the region also offers elegant specialities, some sparkling wines and Chardonnays that have won many awards.
In Switzerland's wine-producing regions, which include Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three-Lakes region, over 2,500 winegrowers cultivate 14,569 hectares of vineyards.
The special relief of the Swiss vineyards leads to viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's hand is the most important tool in helping the grapes to ripen.
Switzerland offers numerous wine tourism destinations and activities in the heart of the Alps. A wide variety of landscapes and grape varieties ensure exciting experiences.
Pairing wine and food doesn't have to be complicated. We show how the right wine can perfectly round off a dish.
From the grapevine to the wine glass: discover fascinating insights about wine, learn technical terms, and deepen your knowledge with our wine courses.
The Three Lakes wine region
Three expressions for the same identity
Distribution of grape varieties
These graphs present some key figures of the wines of the Three Lakes region
Red surface
(533 HA)
White surface
(409 HA)
A
B
C
D
E
F
Pinot Noir, 442 HA
Chasselas, 248 HA
Pinot Gris, 45 HA
Chardonnay, 41 HA
Gamaret, 11 HA
Others, 155 HA
The map of AOC in the region
The Three Lakes region has 4 AOC.
Neuchâtel
The Neuchâtel wine region extends over some 600 hectares along the northern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and is one of Switzerland's most traditional wine-growing areas. The limestone soils and temperate climate favour elegant, fresh wines, particularly from the Chasselas variety.
There are two local specialities: the Non-Filtré, a Chasselas that is bottled without being filtered, and the Œil-de-Perdrix, a rosé made from Pinot Noir. In addition, white wines are also made from Chardonnay and aromatic red wines from Pinot Noir, with a beautiful structure and finesse.
Vully
With only about 150 hectares, Vully is the smallest wine region in Switzerland, located on the northern shore of Lake Murten, divided between the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud. The mild climate and sandstone-rich soils give the wines freshness and elegance. Chasselas is the main grape variety, complemented by Pinot Noir and specialities such as Freiburger (a variant of Sylvaner). The local reds are also highly appreciated, often fruity and slightly spicy.
Lake Biel
The Lake Biel region covers some 220 hectares on the steep southern slopes around Twann, Ligerz and La Neuveville. The vineyards benefit from intense sunshine and the temperature-regulating influence of the lake. Chasselas and Pinot Noir are the dominant varieties, but specialities such as Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer also find ideal conditions here. The wines are characterised by a fine minerality, vibrant fruit aromas and an elegant structure.
Events in the region
All events taking place in the Three Lakes region
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