In Switzerland's wine-producing regions, which include Valais, Vaud, German-speaking Switzerland, Geneva, Ticino and the Three-Lakes region, over 2,500 winegrowers cultivate 14,569 hectares of vineyards.
The special relief of the Swiss vineyards leads to viticulture on a human scale, where the winemaker's hand is the most important tool in helping the grapes to ripen.
Switzerland offers numerous wine tourism destinations and activities in the heart of the Alps. A wide variety of landscapes and grape varieties ensure exciting experiences.
Pairing wine and food doesn't have to be complicated. We show how the right wine can perfectly round off a dish.
From the grapevine to the wine glass: discover fascinating insights about wine, learn technical terms, and deepen your knowledge with our wine courses.
A Wine Curious Weekend in Graubünden’s Bündner Herrschaft
Graubünden has a way of feeling further away than it is. Steeped in history and lore, where exquisite wines are crafted amidst panoramic vistas, it makes for an alluring weekend escape. This is where the Rhine meanders under the gaze of jagged mountain peaks and in the foothills, the small villages of the Bündner Herrschaft: Maienfeld, Malans, Jenins and Fläsch.
One of Switzerland’s most rewarding wine regions, it is best explored slowly. Not by rushing from cellar to cellar, but by walking or pedalling through it. With a little over 400 hectares under vine, the Herrschaft is compact enough to digest over a few days, yet layered with stories that reveal themselves one glass at a time.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder, is the region’s star, borne by warm days, cool alpine nights and the famous Föhn wind. Appropriately nicknamed traubenkocher, or “grape cooker”, it brings a visceral ripeness and energy to the grapes, balanced by mountain freshness and a distinct mineral edge. Then there is Completer, one of Switzerland’s oldest white varieties, first recorded in Malans in the early 14th century. It is not a casual aperitif so much as a conversation starter: quince, green apple, savoury depth and bright acidity that invigorates the senses. Alongside these, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc also find reverence in the region.
A natural place to begin your journey is the spiritual heart of “Heidiland”, named after Johanna Spyri’s famous mountain tale set above Maienfeld. The story still draws literary pilgrims to these sun-drenched slopes, and Heididorf, the recreated period village, gives the story a pleasingly nostalgic anchor. Near Maienfeld’s centre are the wines of Möhr-Niggli and the casual cowshed bistro and wine store Stall 247. From here, the vineyard paths thread out towards Fläsch, Jenins and Malans. The dramatic landscape takes centrestage, peppered with low stone walls, church towers and vineyards clinging to the steep slopes.
Fläsch deserves time to explore. It is great for cycling around with quiet lanes and a gentle gradient to keep things interesting. There are more than a dozen wineries here, such as the Adank family and Weingut Roman Hermann. Both can also be enjoyed over a casual meal at Weinstube Fläsch or in the vineyards at Fläscher Bad Grotto. This is where local flavours, rare vintages and a glorious cheese cellar come together in one convivial setting.
Down the valley in Malans, Weingut Wegelin offers a highly personal stop. Founded by Peter Wegelin and now in the hands of Raphael and Mathilde Hug, the estate has followed a biodynamic path since 2019. Their Pinot Noirs have complexity and polish, while the whites, including Pinot Blanc, Completer and Chardonnay, from some of the highest sites in the region, show just how much character this small region can deliver.
Just beyond the village, Weingut Fromm tells another story: a family with deep roots in the Herrschaft and a significant chapter in New Zealand’s winemaking story. Marco Fromm presents a fine repertoire of wines with warmth and variety. Fromm also offers guided walks through the vineyards - bookings are essential. To fully relish all that Malans offers, the family’s restored 17th-century guesthouse is one of the most memorable stays in the region.
For something more playful, book a Schlaf-Fass cabin in Jenins or Maienfeld. These converted 8,000-litre wine barrels have been transformed into cosy sleeping pods, with dining and bathroom barrels nearby. It’s quirky, but that’s part of the charm, and exactly the sort of place that turns a wine-tasting weekend into a journey of discovery rather than a rigid itinerary. The barrels are heated and available year-round.
A short distance from Jenins, restaurant Alter Torkel is a classic stop for sweeping views, an alluring menu and top local wines. Nearby producers such as Weinbau Annatina Pelizzatti and the Demeter-certified Obrecht, deepen the sense that wine here is never just one thing. In such a narrow valley, nuance is everything.
If you prefer your weekend with a touch of revelry, visit during the annual Malanser Weinpromenade. Held in May, it turns the village into an open-air tasting route, with dozens of producers pouring along an easy walking trail. The day ends with a barbecue, live music and a festive village atmosphere.
And for something both tactile and indulgent, the Wine & Gold Tour pairs a hands-on gilding workshop, with wine tasting and lunch. Particularly good for groups, it offers the pleasure of taking home a crafted piece of gold art as a souvenir.
End the weekend at Schloss Maienfeld, where the restored 13th-century castle now houses a restaurant, bistro, vinothèque and bar. It makes a fitting finale to a weekend in a region that remains quietly enigmatic: shaped by Alpine forces, the River Rhine, and a wine culture that benefits those willing to explore at a comfortable pace and with just a hint of curiosity.
Marc Checkley
Related Articles
All the news about Swiss wines and exclusive reports.
To visit our site, you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence.