Swiss wine export is limited — so limited, in fact, that only 1% of Swiss wine makes its way abroad. This means Swiss wine experiences a must for travelers in Switzerland, and the members of Swiss Deluxe Hotels offer some of the most unique ways for connoisseurs to try some of the world’s finest wines. Here are 14 Swiss Deluxe Hotels’ properties across the country with top-notch wine offerings:
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa: Visitors of Switzerland may be less familiar with the hidden gem: the canton of Bern. The viticulture on the shores of Lake Thun dates back thousands of years. Their high-quality wines from this small wine region compete with the top wines of Switzerland, and their alpine wines are the ideal match for their haute cuisine and Bernese Oberland specialties. At the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, sommelier Torsten Noack is known for discovering and sharing the newest specialties in the area with hotel guests. As part of the property’s new fine dining experience for Spring 2022, the La Terrasse restaurant is being reimagined under Executive Chef Stefan Beer, and the new menu is being crafted along with sommelier Torsten’s specially selected wines from the canton, providing guests with easy access to some of the best pours in the region.
Castello del Sol: The 370 acres of cultivated land called Terreni alla Maggia is unique agricultural estate – and home to the northernmost rice fields in Europe – that surrounds Castello del Sol in Ascona. Known for its true farm-to-table meals, from rice, vegetables, fruit, and wine, the Resort Castello del Sol serves award-winning wines. This spring, the resort will offer the new Castello Experience, a five-night stay for wine lovers to enjoy tours of the property’s wine cellar, a wine tasting at Terreni alla Maggia and the opportunity to taste their products.
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz: Located near three unique wine regions in Switzerland, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz offers an Exclusive Wine Experience for guests to discover some rare wines from the area along with traditional Swiss bites. The property also offers a selection of private themed Wine Tours, such as a Vintage Tour and an Organic Tour, where guests can try the wines which are typical of the Heidiland region and the St. Gallen Rhine Valley as well as their cultural and culinary delights. Also at the resort, wine director Amanda Wassmer-Bulgin and sommelier Francesco Benvenuto work closely with local vintners, with Francesco producing his very own Benvenuto Single Cask (available at the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant IGNIV by Andreas Caminada) from the Selvenen vineyard.
Le Grand Bellevue: Starting in February and lasting through the spring, Le Grand Bellevue in Gstaad is offering a series of bespoke Winemaker Dinners. In partnership with some of the world’s top estates, at each dinner guests meet a different visiting winemaker who will present some of the rarest and most special wines paired with an exquisite meal. These intimate dinners taking place in Le Grand Bellevue’s beautiful wine cellar allow guests to try some of the world’s most elegant burgundies, heavily sought-after Denominazione di origine controllata wines, and the prestigious Bordeaux.
Carlton Hotel St. Moritz: For wine aficionados and connoisseurs, the Carlton Hotel in St. Moritz offers a unique Grand Tasting of a selection of eight different varietals and growing regions. As part of this experience, guests can enjoy a wine tour in the hotel’s century-old wine cellar lead by their head sommelier. Fine wine, a unique atmosphere, and good conversation are the perfect combination for this exclusive experience.
The Dolder Grand: In Zurich, The Dolder Grand Hotel’s sommelier Lisa Bader, named Sommelier of the Year 202, is hosting a series of events for hotel guests this spring. Starting with “Old Versus New World – A Duel” taking place in March, Lisa will team up with top chef Julian Mai and wine editor Peter Keller on a special four course tasting menu for guests to enjoy at the property’s Saltz restaurant. Bader will concentrate on fine wines from the New World while Keller will focus on the Old World. At this unique experience, attendees will have the opportunity to decide who concocted the best combinations in this duel and determine the winner. The next event will follow in June and will focus on current wine trends.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel: Nestled in the Alps at 5,900 feet sits the town of Arosa, Switzerland’s hidden gem, and the Tschuggen Grand Hotel. Returning for a second summer, the hotel will offer an exclusive Graubünden Wine Tasting Experience as part of their Moving Mountains lifestyle program this year. During the experience, guests discover the 42 grape varieties that thrive in the Bündner Herrschaft region in an exclusive tasting hosted by the property’s expert sommelier. Travelers also receive an aroma kit to guide them in learning about what makes the wine from this region so special.
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva: An hour’s drive from Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces cover the lower slopes of the mountainside along the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the terraces produce some of the country’s most prized wines. With its sleepy towns and terraced vineyards offering wonderful lake views, Lavaux is the perfect destination to visit some of the area’s best wineries. Wine aficionados and guests of the hotel can enjoy a private tour of a 12-acre estate, where they will learn about biodynamic wines, visiting the wine press and production facilities to understand how wines are crafted. At the end of the tour, guests will learn to appreciate a selection of wines on a unique tasting session on the terrace, which commands spectacular views of the lake and the snow-capped Alps.
Baur au Lac: Zurich’s Baur au Lac Hotel is a special place for wine connoisseurs. As the owners of the hotel also run Baur au Lac Vins, a premium wine seller in Switzerland, the opportunities for curating very special and versatile wine lists for the property’s two restaurants are seemingly endless. Marc Almert, the head sommelier of the hotel and the Michelin starred Restaurant Pavillon, is considered Baur au Lac’s “superstar sommelier.” After being awarded with the title “ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019” at only 27 years-old, Marc now shares his gift of wine knowledge in a charming way that catches guests and stays with them long after they leave.
Park Hotel Vitznau: The wine cellar at the Park Hotel Vitznau has the biggest, most expensive wine cellar in Switzerland. With 35,000 bottles, 4,500 positions, and a total value of more than CHF 25 million, the wine cellar is full of liquid gold, and boasts a collection of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rhône Valley in all sizes. The wine cellar is actually made of six wine cellars, divided by region (France, New World, Old World, Château d’Yquem, Champagnes, and Rarities) and presented similarly to a museum. With over four centuries of wine history to share, the Park Hotel Vitznau wine cellar is full of treasure waiting for the perfect wine connoisseur. Guests of the hotel can book an exclusive tour through the wine cellars to taste some of the world’s rarest wines, an enchanting experience for all the senses.
Le Mirador Resort & Spa: Le Mirador Resort & Spa is the only five-star hotel located directly in the UNESCO heritage site of Lavaux, which consists of three-square miles of terraced vineyards, stretching for about 18 miles along the shores of Lake Geneva. The culture of the wine in this region dates back to the 11th century and is still part of the local traditions today. Le Mirador Resort & Spa is within walking distance of three winemakers. Guests can use the funicular from the hotel to the town of Vevey, for a discovery of their traditions and of course winetasting along with the winemakers. Several times during the year, the hotel also hosts wine pairing dinners with local winemakers at the property’s restaurant Le Patio, highlighting delicious local cuisine using regional products, perfectly matched with wines. Guests can also appreciate a hike through the Lavaux region, wine tasting, a picnic in the gorgeous vineyards during their stay.
Hotel Splendide Royal: TheHotel Splendide Royal in Lugano, a historic residence overlooking Lake Lugano and surrounded by mountains, is an ideal starting point for discovering a wine-growing region that is well deserving of attention and appreciation. At the Splendide, guests have access to the hotel’s concierges and guided tours of local wineries. The property also offers a special tour of their “Forziere del Vino” wine cellar. During the experience, Simone Ragusa (Best Sommelier of Switzerland in 2014) guides guests through the discovery of unusual wines and well-known brands, telling stories of the wines and their producers.
Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences: With an exceptional location in the center of Crans-Montana and in the heart of the largest wine-producing region of Switzerland, Guarda Golf Hotel & Residences is a breath-taking place to stay in both the summer and the winter months to discover the world of Swiss wines. Perfect for wine connoisseurs, the property offers a unique Wine & Tradition Experience, which includes visiting local vineyards, a wine tasting, and traditional Swiss dinner. Following the experience, guests are invited to enjoy their evening at the property’s Les Alps Bar with a nightcap.
Badrutt's Palace Hotel: Jet-setting couples can experience one of the world’s best wine cellars at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, set 6,000 feet up in St. Moritz. The legendary hotel features a secret wine cellar that has been around for more than 120 years and holds more than 30,000 bottles, ranging from old rarities like Château Lafite Rothschild 1900 and Château Ausone 1945 to delectable wines such as Domaine Romanee Conti, Krug Champagne and Dom Perignon. For a truly opulent experience, couples can book a private experience at Krug Stübli, Badrutt’s Palace’s time-honored wine cellar, where an exclusive truffle fondue can be enjoyed with Krüg Champagne.
