Wines and vineyard
From vines bathed by Lake Geneva to the castle cellars, discover a Grand Cru made right here at Chillon, and the history behind it.
The history of wine at Chillon
In the Middle Ages
Vines have shaped the surroundings of the fortress for centuries. As early as 1260, Peter of Savoy had a vineyard in a place known as En Perrevuit, near to Saint Vincent’s Church in Montreux. Castellany accounts from 1314 recount the significance of this vineyard as part of castle life.
A 20th-century renaissance
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the vineyard was positioned between Veytaux and the lake, a section of which already bore the name Clos de Chillon. The amount of land dedicated to winegrowing was greatly reduced between the 19th and 20th centuries due to a grapevine pest named phylloxera and increasing urbanisation. Only 2,000m² of chasselas vines remained by 1965, the year that the Châtelanat family donated the vineyard to the Association for the Restoration of Chillon Castle to help preserve the site. The plot of land was replanted in 1968 and expanded in 1977 and 1982.
The vineyard today
Today, the Clos de Chillon vineyard spans 12,000m² and contains chasselas, divico, gamaret, garanoir and merlot varieties. Chillon’s designated winegrower oversees all the work on the vines, using a technique known as Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the wines are professionally monitored by our partner Maison Henri Badoux.
Clos de Chillon
After the pressing process and temperature-controlled vinification, our Chillon wines spend several months in oak barrels located in the castle cellars.
White Clos de Chillon
The white Clos de Chillon is a lemony colour with hints of gold. Its bouquet contains fresh notes, mainly of aniseed, fresh lime tree and verbena, which bring out the sweetness of the honey. These aromas are combined with discreet vanilla undertones.
Lightly smoked, fruity notes are released in the mouth; its round, soft structure enhanced by its viscosity and smoothness.
100% chasselas, typical of the Lavaux region.
Red Clos de Chillon
In a delectable shade of ruby red with hints of purple, the red Clos de Chillon has a rich bouquet of deep aromas such as red berries, with notes of coffee and praline, and spiced, vanilla undertones.
On the palate it is straightforward, warm and dynamic, with intense, elegant tannins strengthening its structure, rounded off with the finishing spiced touches.
A blend of the divico, gamaret, garanoir and merlot varieties.
- Awards for our white Clos de Chillon
- Gold medal at the Sélection des Vins Vaudois, 2019
- Silver medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Beijing, 2018
- Gold medal at the Sélection des Vins Vaudois, 2017
- Silver medal at the Mondial du Chasselas, 2014
- Silver medal at the Sélection des Vins Vaudois, 2013
The Clos de Chillon is sold exclusively in our Castle Shop or Bazaar for 22 CHF per bottle.
All proceeds from the sale of our Clos de Chillon go towards the conservation and restoration of the monument.
Our wine tourism packages
The Canton of Vaud – home of winemaking and gourmet cuisine – has long attracted lovers of good food and good wine. Chillon is part of the Vaud Œnotourisme and Swiss Wine Tour networks, which help showcase the local winegrowing region.
Tours incorporating our Chillon wines
Guided wine tour
This one-of-a-kind walk will take you through the monument’s vineyard and down to the historic cellars and banquet halls. The tour is topped off with a taste of our white and red Clos de Chillon, paired with appetisers.
For individuals
Our 'Verrée Vaudoise'
Prolong your guided tour of the castle with a taste of the white and red Clos de Chillon wines in one of our great halls – paired with locally sourced savoury ‘flûte’ snacks. A special and typically Vaudois moment worth sharing!