Switzerland’s breathtaking natural beauty means that it will always appear right at the top of many people’s travel lists. With the hot summer days behind us, we now have the golden natural hues of Autumn to look forward to, and one of the best places to experience this is Switzerland and its beautiful Canton of Vaud.
The Canton of Vaud is one of the twenty-six regions that make up the Swiss Confederation. The Canton is comprised of ten districts and is home to Lausanne and the renowned Lake Geneva. It is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and is known for its natural beauty and world-leading gastronomic offerings.
One thing that people might not know is that the Canton of Vaud is one of the largest producers of wine in the country. Currently, the grape harvests are in full swing, and the dairies are hard at work creating some of the world’s best cheeses, with villages and towns throughout the region celebrating the bounty with wine and fruit harvests.
Over the next month or so, there’s a lot for visitors to experience, including the opportunity to go in search of the rare white truffle, wine celebrations and much more, as you will see in the guide below.
Swiss Women Winemakers’ Fair, Castle of Rolle – 6th November 2021
More and more women in Switzerland are choosing a career in the world of wine, and this festival celebrates the skill and craft of these women wine merchants, vineyard owners, winemakers and oenologists. Founded in 1999, this association brings together women winemakers from all over Switzerland with a wine selection to highlight talent from different terroirs. Some pioneers, some rising stars, these producers strive to produce wines that resemble themselves in an environmentally friendly way.
Gastronomie and Vin, Luins – 6th – 7th November 2021
Every year since 1997, winemakers of Begnins, Luins, Vinzel and Bursins, typical small villages in the La Côte vineyard between Lausanne and Geneva, have thrown open the doors to their wine cellars for a weekend of wine tasting. Visitors walk from cellar to cellar on foot or travel on a shuttle or a small train. The purchase of a glass (CHF 15.-) will allow visitors access to thirty-five winegrowers.
As well as many other local products, this year, guests will savour a new wine – the partly fermented “Bourru” wine.
Truffle Hunting – 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th November 2021
Hidden treasures lie beneath the soil in the woods of the Yverdon-Les-Bains region, around Lake Neuchâtel. Accompanied by an experienced truffle connoisseur and trained dog, this is an opportunity to forage for precious Swiss truffles. Found in woodlands and fields beneath several inches of leaves and soil among the gnarled roots of oak, beech, hornbeam, and chestnut, Switzerland is home to both the black and the rarer white truffle. After a day out foraging, guests will return to sample local truffle recipes whilst enjoying regional wines.
Divinum Wine Fair, Morges 18th – 29th November 2021
Often described as one of the greatest “Salon des Vins” of Switzerland, this Swiss wine fair gives visitors the opportunity to taste some of the most exceptional wines from over 150 vineyards. Winegrowers present exceptional vintage wines and impart their knowledge and passion on everything wine-related.
About The Canton of Vaud
The Canton of Vaud is situated in the western part of Switzerland. The region offers lakesides, mountains, the Glacier3000 and fascinating towns and cities to explore as well as plenty of culture, vineyards, artisan produce and award-winning restaurants. It also boasts some beautiful waterfront cities and towns, including Lausanne, Montreux, Nyon, Morges and Yverdon-Les-Bains. All of these are steeped in history and are rich in culture.
The Canton of Vaud has charmed, influenced and inspired artists through the years, from Lord Byron and Audrey Hepburn to Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury, and continues to cast its spell on the many who come to visit it each year.
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