One Grape, Many Faces: Swiss Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir may be famously finicky, but in Switzerland, it has found a true Alpine home. It’s actually the most planted grape in the country (covering about 28–30% of vineyards), thriving in the cool climate and varied mountain terroirs. Because Switzerland is so small yet geologically diverse, Pinot here becomes a mirror of place — elegant in one valley, bold and spicy in the next.

Regional Diversity

• Graubünden (German speaking Switzerland – Bündner Herrschaft, central and eastern Switzerland)
  Elegant, Burgundy-like Pinots with red cherry, fine tannins, and minerality. Nicknamed “Switzerland’s Burgundy.”
• Valais (southern Alps)
  Warmer, sun-drenched slopes give fuller, darker, spicier Pinot. Sometimes blended with Gamaret or Cornalin for depth.
• Vaud & Geneva (French speaking Switzerland – south and west)
  Softer, lighter-bodied Pinots, often crafted in approachable bistro styles.
• Ticino (Italian speaking Switzerland – south)
  Pinot takes a back seat to Merlot, but cooler northern Ticino still produces beautifully expressive examples.

Three Distinct Prost Pinots

• La Maison Carrée, Auvernier Rouge (Neuchâtel, Three Lakes Region)
  Distinctive, perfumed, and precise — showing the finesse of Switzerland’s northern lakes.
• Ottiger, Pinot Noir Rosenau (Lucerne, German Speaking Region)
  A cool-climate style with bright fruit and a lean, structured frame, reflecting its Germanic roots.
• Marie-Thérèse Chappaz, Grain Pinot Charrat (Valais)
  A terroir-driven Pinot that captures the sun-soaked slopes of Valais with depth, spice, and minerality.