Switzerland Wine Trade Trip - Part 1

There are times when our job is even more exciting and interesting than usual, at least for those members of staff taking part, anyway! For the remaining staff envy green is the colour of choice!

Ian, one of the business partners, was lucky enough to be invited on a wine trade trip to Switzerland between 10th and 14th March.

We do these trips to gain more insight into what the producers are doing, who they are, what their philosophy is etc. and of course to taste their wines to decide whether we wish to stock them. The glorious wining and dining and amazing countryside and views that come with these trips are merely a pleasant interlude....!

Ian's 4 days would include a round trip of Switzerland's key wine producing areas.

Landing in Zurich early on Thursday morning he was taken first to Schaffhausen, one of the largest wine producing region in Switzerland, where he visited the wineries of VOLG Weinkellereien who run 3 independent vineyards: Huntwagen, Hallau, and Weinkellereien Ruhtal. The VOLG wineries are located on the 46th to 48th degrees of latitude which is the same as Burgundy and is capable of producing outstanding wines accordingly..

They started off with an aperitif in Amphitheater Huntwagen. You can see in the photo why it gets its name.

From here they went to Hallau and the viewpoint and church St. Moritz. This was followed by a presentation a wine tasting and then lunch at Tuffsteinkeller and then a visit to the beautiful and amazing Rhine falls.

Then there was a short break for them to check into the overnight hotel before visiting Weinkellereien Ruhtal and being wined and dined for 5 courses in the cellar.

This was just Thursday. There's another 3 days yet....!