7 facts about the wine region

The car-free wine village of Quinten is only accessible via hiking trails or by boat. This village of 60 people on the steep northern shore of Lake Walen has a special microclimate that allows not only grapes but also exotic fruits such as kiwis and figs to thrive.

There are 42 grape varieties in the Graubünden Rhine Valley, from which more than 70 wineries produce a wide range of wines. The individual winegrowers are as diverse as the wine itself.

In the recent past, the Pinot Noir world championship title has gone to the Bündner Herrschaft region six times. This feat was achieved by the young winemaker Martin Donatsch (2x), the brothers Ueli and Jürg Liesch (1x), Georg Schlegel from Weingut zur Alten Post in Jenins (2x) and most recently the winemakers from Pinot-R(h)ein (2x).

Thanks to the foehn: the Bündner Herrschaft, the small region of great wines, is considered the warmest wine region in German-speaking Switzerland. The warm wind here is also nicknamed the "grape stove". This natural occurrence and other factors ensure that the Bündner Herrschaft has become a well-known wine region.

The proud Sargans Castle, the landmark of Sarganserland, is surrounded by vineyards. An educational wine trail leads through the vineyards and provides fascinating information about local viticulture. Gonzen is also home to the iron mine of the same name, where iron ore was mined for a long time. The disused iron mine is also home to the Gonzen winery, which now also offers underground wine tastings.

The oldest documented winery in Europe is Salenegg Castle in Maienfeld. Wines were already being pressed here in 1068.

Several winegrowers from the small town on Lake Walen produce exclusively organic wine in accordance with strict regulations. And over 60% of the vineyards around Walenstadt are cultivated organically. So you can enjoy it twice as much.