A week-end at the Vaud Open Cellars

If there’s a not-to-be-missed event in the canton of Vaud, it’s the Vaud Open Cellar Days ! There’s holiday flair and relaxation throughout the canton during the Pentecost weekend on May 27 ans 28th. The six wine-growing regions all join in this event and the 200 participating cellars offer a wide range of wines waiting to be discovered.

It’s easy to spot your fellow wine lovers thanks to their tasting glass and contagiously good mood. Just get an Open Cellar pass valid for the two days of the event, follow them and get to the core of the event! 

The six wine regions are in the spotlight. You’ll be enchanted by Lavaux UNESCO and its terraced vineyards, medieval hamlets and the breathtaking panorama with Lake Geneva and the Alps as a backdrop. Take a walk in the canton’s largest vineyards of La Côte, which extend over a gentle slope at the foot of the Jura massif opposite Mont-Blanc. Almost hidden in these vineyards are charming vintners’ cabins and historical castles. Just as delightful is the Chablais with its vineyards stretching up to the foothills of the Pre-Alps and the beautiful castle of Aigle, where you can visit the Museum of Vines and Wine. The Côtes de l’Orbe vineyards are further north. They offer bucolic, gently undulating landscapes and characteristic red wines. Last but not least, the regions of Bonvillars and Vully on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel boast a lakeside atmosphere and tranquil, natural spaces for restorative walks.
In a warm atmosphere, groups of friends go from one cellar and village to the next. They take the time to discover the region at their own pace, on foot or by free-of-charge public transport. Some of them are regulars, others are visitors passing by. All of them marvel at the breathtaking scenery surrounding the vineyards. Sitting at a table on a beautiful terrace facing Lake Geneva and the Alps, you will easily start a conversation with guests sitting at adjoining tables. Not to mention the bursts of laughter and the merry atmosphere when you board the small wine trains. What an original and unforgettable way to visit the vineyards!

Once you have your Open Cellar glass, all you need to do is proffer it to taste your first Chasselas. Crisp, fresh, fruity… a white wine that’s perfect for aperitifs! The wine card and the vintner’s tips will guide you to your subsequent wine selections. The artisan will be happy to talk about his or her passion for wine, the characteristics of the soil or the vinification process. One of the greatest pleasures at the Vaud Open Cellar Days is to taste a wide range of wines that reflect the vintners’ know-how and the various terroirs. You are sure to find your favourite among them!

Have you worked up quite an appetite by now? Just  order a planchette of Vaudois terroir products such as Gruyère PDO and L’Etivaz PDO or Saucisson Vaudois PGI. The apple juice by Union fruitière lémanique is a good alternative, especially for younger people. Perch fillets, malakoffs (cheese donuts) or, as a dessert, Vully Cake are regional traditions and therefore on offer in many restaurants and on their terraces.